Final answer:
When starting digoxin, clients should monitor and report signs of bradycardia, a potential adverse effect of the medication, which may manifest as dizziness, fatigue, and confusion. Other symptoms to watch for include nausea and vomiting. It is also critical to monitor patients on combination therapy with beta blockers for an enhanced risk of severe bradycardia.
Step-by-step explanation:
Adverse Effects of Digoxin
When starting therapy with digoxin, a medication used for heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation and heart failure, it's essential to monitor for certain adverse effects. While digoxin can be beneficial in managing these conditions, it can also have side effects due to its effect on the cardiovascular system. The nurse should instruct the client to monitor and report any instances of bradycardia (slowed heart rate), which is a known adverse effect of digoxin. Symptoms of bradycardia include dizziness, fatigue, weakness, or confusion. These symptoms might indicate that the digoxin dose is too high or that the drug is not being metabolized adequately.
Though not directly related to digoxin use, it is worth noting that other cardiac medications such as beta blockers work by blocking the beta-1 receptor, which can also slow the heart rate. Thus, if a client is taking both beta blockers and digoxin, careful monitoring for signs of a dangerously slow heart rate is particularly important. The combination of these medications could potentiate the risk of adverse cardiac events, including severe bradycardia. However, symptoms such as hypertension, hyperactivity, and muscle problems are generally not associated with digoxin toxicity. Instead, digoxin can lead to symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, which are also crucial to report.