You are visiting a female patient, age 80, in her home. She is receiving 0.15 mg of oral digitoxin daily. She also takes hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg twice a day. She complains of blurred vision and nausea
You observe that she is confused and disoriented at times. What might be the problem? 1. The patient needs to have her hydrochlorothiazide increased.
2. The patient may have digitalis toxicity.
3. The patient may have developed chronic heart failure.
4. The patient may have Alzheimer's disease.
2
Cardiotonics are very powerful and can act as poisons on the heart. When a patient begins to show toxic or harmful reactions from too much medication, the term digitalis toxicity is used.
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