Question

A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is to start therapy with digoxin. For which of the following adverse effects should the nurse instruct the client to monitor and report to the provider?

a) Increased appetite
b) Hypertension
c) Diarrhea
d) Visual disturbances, such as halos around lights
e) Insomnia

Answer 1

When starting therapy with digoxin, it's crucial for patients to monitor and report visual disturbances, such as halos around lights, nausea and vomiting, muscular problems, abnormal heart rhythms, and sleep issues, including insomnia.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse instructing a client who is about to start therapy with digoxin should inform the client to monitor and report certain adverse effects to their healthcare provider. Specifically, the client should be aware of visual disturbances, such as seeing halos around lights, which is an indicative side effect of digoxin toxicity. Other adverse effects related to digoxin that should be monitored include nausea and vomiting, muscular problems, abnormal heart rhythms, and sleep problems, including insomnia.

While both hypertension and diarrhea can be concerning symptoms with different medications, they are not typically associated with digoxin use and are not the primary side effects that need to be reported in this context.