A female patient is discharged from the hospital after having an episode of heart failure
She's prescribed daily oral doses of digoxin (Lanoxin) and furosemide (Lasix). Two days later, she tells her community health nurse that she feels weak and her heart "flutters" frequently. What action should the nurse take?
A) Tell the patient to rest more often.
B) Tell the patient to stop taking the digoxin, and call the physician.
C) Call the physician, report the symptoms, and request to draw a blood sample to determine the patient's potassium level.
D) Tell the patient to avoid foods that contain caffeine.
Ans: C
Feedback: Furosemide is a potassium-wasting diuretic. A low potassium level may cause weakness and palpitations. Telling the patient to rest more often won't help the patient if she's hypokalemic. Digoxin isn't causing the patient's symptoms, so she doesn't need to stop taking it. The patient should probably avoid caffeine, but this wouldn't resolve potassium depletion.
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