Question

A nurse is reviewing the lab results of a client who is taking digoxin for heart failure. Which of the following results should the nurse report to the provider?

A. Serum potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
B. Serum creatinine level of 1.0 mg/dL
C. Serum digoxin level of 1.8 ng/mL
D. Serum sodium level of 140 mEq/L

Answer 1

The nurse should report a serum digoxin level of 1.8 ng/mL to the provider because digoxin is a medication with a narrow therapeutic index.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should report a serum digoxin level of 1.8 ng/mL to the provider.

Digoxin is a medication commonly used to treat heart failure. The therapeutic range for digoxin is typically between 0.5-2.0 ng/mL, so a level of 1.8 ng/mL falls within this range. However, it is important for the nurse to report this result to the provider because digoxin is a medication with a narrow therapeutic index, meaning that the difference between a therapeutic dose and a toxic dose is small. Monitoring the serum digoxin level regularly is crucial to ensure that the medication is effective and safe for the client.