heart and hypertension

Prior to administration of digoxin, the nurse evaluates the client's laboratory values. Which lab findings should the nurse alert the health care provider about before administering digoxin?

Potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L

The nurse is caring for a client receiving digoxin. The nurse would intervene for possible digoxin toxicity when the client exhibits which symptoms?

refusal to eat

A 62-year-old female client states that she needs additional teaching about self-administration of digoxin when she says that she will:

take the pill with a meal.

When describing cardiotonic drugs, the nurse would expect to include which condition as an indication for use?

Atrial fibrillation Heart failure

The nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who has been prescribed ivabradine 5 mg PO b.i.d. Before administering the drug, the nurse's assessment reveals temperature 97.2°F (36.2°), blood pressure 106/63 mmHg, apical heart rate 68 beats per minute with regular rhythm and respiratory rate of 21 breaths per minute. What is the nurse's best action?

Administer the medication as prescribed and monitor the client

The nurse is caring for a client with a history of heart failure and renal insufficiency. The nurse should perform which assessment(s) for safe administration of the digoxin 0.125 mg po every other day?

Check the renal profile for the serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and potassium levels. Determine the day and time the client most recently took the digoxin, and keep to the same schedule. Monitor the liver profile to ensure that the medication is properly metabolized, and report abnormal labs.

The nurse admits a client to the constant care unit with a digoxin level of 11 ng/mL and a serum potassium level of 5.2 mEq/L. Digoxin immune Fab is administered. The next day, the client's digoxin level remains elevated. What action does the nurse anticipate?

Continue to monitor the client's digoxin level daily.

A client asks the nurse about how his prescribed digoxin helps his heart. The nurse would include which response?

Increases force of contraction Slows the conduction velocity through the atrioventricular (AV) node Decreases heart rate

A 59-year-old female client has been prescribed digoxin. The nurse assigned to the client will instruct her to avoid:

OTC cold remedies

Which medication will be administered to a client experiencing severe digitalis poisoning?

digoxin immune fab

which electrolyte imbalance can precipitate digoxin toxicity?

hyperkalemia

A client is admitted to the intensive care unit with an electrolyte imbalance. Which imbalance will contraindicate the administration of digoxin?

hypokalemia

A client who has been prescribed digoxin (Lanoxin) is also taking furosemide (Lasix) 20 mg daily. Which electrolyte imbalances will precipitate the client to develop digoxin toxicity?

hypokalemia

Which electrolyte imbalance will contribute to the development of digoxin toxicity? Select all that apply.

hypokalemia hypermagnesemia hypocalcemia

A nurse has poured a hospital client's scheduled dose of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). The nurse should know that this drug reduces preload by which means?

increasing renal excretion of sodium and water

Digoxin has been prescribed for an outclient with symptomatic heart failure. What is the priority teaching point to convey to this client?

make sure to take your pulse for a minute before you take the digoxin

A nurse is caring for a client, age 60 years, who is diagnosed as having heart failure. The serum electrolyte analysis prior to digoxin administration shows hypokalemia. Which factors should the nurse consider as the cause of hypokalemia?

old age, diarrhea and diuretics