Question

Digoxin immune Fab is administered to a client who is experiencing severe digoxin toxicity. It binds with?

Option 1: Digoxin receptors in the myocardium.

Option 2: Digoxin molecules in the liver.

Option 3: Digoxin-specific antibodies in the bloodstream.

Option 4: Digoxin metabolites in the kidneys.

Answer 1

Digoxin immune Fab is an antidote that binds with circulating digoxin molecules to treat digoxin toxicity, enabling their elimination from the body and alleviating the harmful effects.

Step-by-step explanation:

Digoxin immune Fab is used to treat severe digoxin toxicity. This treatment involves the administration of an antibody that has a high affinity for digoxin, allowing it to bind to the toxin. Specifically, digoxin immune Fab, also known as digoxin-specific antibody Fab fragments, binds digoxin molecules in circulation, forming a complex that is then renally excreted. The correct option for what it binds with is Option 2: Digoxin molecules in the liver, as it binds circulating digoxin, reducing the active concentration of the drug, and subsequently, its toxicity. It does not directly interact with the digoxin receptors in the myocardium, nor does it bind digoxin-specific antibodies or digoxin metabolites in the kidneys.