Question

A patient with heart failure who has been given digoxin (Lanoxin) daily for a week complains of nausea. Before giving the next dose, the nurse will:

a. assess the heart rate (HR) and give the dose if the HR is greater than 60 beats per minute.
b. contact the provider to report digoxin toxicity.
c. request an order for a decreased dose of digoxin.
d. review the serum electrolyte values and withhold the dose if the potassium level is greater than 3.5 mEq/L.

Answer 1

The nurse should check both the heart rate and serum electrolytes, focusing on potassium levels, before giving the next dose of digoxin, as nausea can be indicative of digoxin toxicity and potassium plays a critical role in cardiac function.

Step-by-step explanation:

Before administering the next dose of digoxin to a patient with heart failure who is experiencing nausea, the nurse should assess the patient's heart rate (HR) and serum electrolyte values, particularly potassium levels. Nausea can be a sign of digoxin toxicity, and it's important to confirm that the patient's HR is stable (greater than 60 beats per minute) and that the potassium level is within a normal range, as both hypokalemia and hyperkalemia can contribute to cardiac arrhythmias, which could be exacerbated by digoxin. Therefore, the most appropriate action would be to assess the heart rate and give the dose if the HR is appropriate, and also review serum electrolyte values, particularly potassium levels, before administering the drug.