Question

A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for digoxin about manifestations of toxicity. Which of the following findings should the nurse include in the teaching?

A) Hypotension
B) Nausea and vomiting
C) Bradycardia
D) Hyperactivity

Answer 1

The nurse should inform the client that common symptoms of digoxin toxicity include nausea and vomiting, as well as bradycardia. These symptoms indicate that digoxin is negatively affecting the heart's rhythm and require prompt medical attention.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a nurse is teaching a client about the manifestations of digoxin toxicity, it is critical to include symptoms that are indicative of this condition. Nausea and vomiting are common gastrointestinal manifestations of digoxin toxicity. Along with these symptoms, the client may experience cardiac effects such as bradycardia, which is a slower than normal heart rate.

Digoxin acts on the heart by affecting the sodium and potassium pump, which in turn can lead to altered heart rhythms. A key point to understand is that while certain medications, like beta blockers, are designed to slow the heart rate to manage conditions like hypertension, digoxin toxicity is an unintended and dangerous physiological response.

Other signs of digoxin toxicity can include visual disturbances such as blurred or yellow vision, and confusion or delirium, especially in older adults. It is essential for clients to immediately report these symptoms to a healthcare provider as they may warrant medical intervention.