The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient who has heart failure. The patient reports nausea, vomiting, and a headache
The nurse notes a respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute, a heart rate of 58 beats per minute, and a blood pressure of 120/78 mm Hg. What will the nurse do next?
a. Administer the next dose as ordered since these are mild side effects.
b. Hold the dose and notify the provider of possible digoxin toxicity.
c. Reassure the patient that these are common, self-limiting side effects.
d. Request an order for an antiemetic and an analgesic medication.
ANS: B
Nausea, vomiting, and headache are common signs of digoxin toxicity as is a heart rate less than 60 beats per minute. The nurse should hold the dose and notify the provider.
You might also like to view...
A patient with impaired renal function is to receive dofetilide (Tikosyn) for conversion of atrial fibrillation. What is the nurse's priority assessment before administering the drug?
A) Check the patient's creatinine level. B) Measure the urine output. C) Listen to breath sounds. D) Measure the PR interval on the electrocardiogram.
The nurse is caring for four clients on the medical-surgical unit of the hospital. What client is mostly likely to be receiving treatment for sickle cell crisis?
A) A 29-year-old Caucasian female B) A 19-year-old African American male C) A 24-year-old Native American female D) A 36-year-old Eastern European female
The most common cause of hepatitis occurs when a drug reaction damages the liver
Indicate whether the statement is true or false
A child with asthma is having pulmonary function tests. What rationale explains the purpose of the peak expiratory flow rate?
a. To assess severity of asthma b. To determine cause of asthma c. To identify "triggers" of asthma d. To confirm diagnosis of asthma