A client with heart disease is taking digoxin (Lanoxin) and complains of having no appetite, diarrhea, and blurry vision. The nurse notes that the client's serum potassium (K) level is 3.0 ng/mL
Based on analysis of the data, what might the nurse anticipate assessing when reviewing the digoxin level results? 1. Digoxin level lower than 0.5 ng/mL
2. Digoxin level higher than 2 ng/mL
3. Digoxin level of 1.8 ng/mL
4. Digoxin level of 0 ng/mL because of diarrhea
2
Rationale: When the client is taking digoxin, digoxin toxicity is a concern. The therapeutic digoxin level is 0.5 to 2 ng/mL. Anorexia, diarrhea, and visual disturbances are symptoms of digoxin toxicity. In addition, a low serum potassium level potentiates the risk for digoxin toxicity. This client's potassium level is low at 3.0 ng/mL. The client's complaints are indicative of digoxin toxicity. Therefore the only correct option is "digoxin level higher than 2 ng/mL."
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