A patient taking digoxin (Lanoxin) is admitted to the hospital. During the physical assessment, the patient complains of muscle weakness. The nurse would be correct to suspect which of the following electrolyte imbalances?
a. Hyponatremia
b. Hypokalemia
c. Thrombocytopenia
d. Leukopenia
B
Hypokalemia has adverse effects on skeletal muscle, with symptoms that include weakness or paralysis of skeletal muscle, the risk of fatal dysrhythmias, and intestinal dilation and ileus. In patients taking digoxin, hypokalemia is the principal cause of digoxin toxicity.
Hyponatremia, thrombocytopenia, and leucopenia and would not be the cause of the patient's muscle weakness.
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