The nurse admits a patient 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 patient's digoxin level remains elevated
What action does the nurse anticipate? A) Administer digoxin immune Fab again.
B) Administer a reduced dosage of digoxin.
C) Continue to monitor the patient's digoxin level daily.
D) Notify the health care provider of the elevated level.
C
Feedback:
Serum digoxin levels will be very high and unreliable for about 3 days after the digoxin immune Fab infusion because of the high levels of digoxin in the blood. The patient should not be redigitalized for several days to 1 week after digoxin immune Fab has been used, because of the potential of fragments remaining in the blood. There is no need to notify the health care provider or to administer digoxin immune Fab again.
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