A patient with heart failure who takes a thiazide diuretic and digoxin [Lanoxin] is admitted for shortness of breath. The patient's heart rate is 66 beats per minute, and the blood pressure is 130/88 mm Hg. The serum potassium level is 3

Question

8 mEq/L, and the digoxin level is 0.8 ng/mL. The nurse admitting this patient understands that the patient: a. has digoxin toxicity.
b. is showing signs of renal failure.
c. is experiencing worsening of the disease.
d. needs a potassium-sparing diuretic.

Answer 1

C
This patient has a normal serum potassium level, and the digoxin level is normal. The patient is showing signs of pulmonary edema, which indicates progression of heart failure. The digoxin level is within normal limits, and the heart rate is above 60 beats per minute, so digoxin toxicity is not likely. There is no sign of renal failure. A potassium-sparing diuretic is not indicated.