Question

38. A client is admitted to the hospital because of heart failure and digoxin toxicity. At home, the client was taking digoxin (Lanoxin) and furosemide (Lasix). Which symptom would the nurse anticipate finding on the initial assessment?

* A) Muscle weakness and cramping
B) Confusion
C) Blood in the urine
D) Tinnitis

Answer 1

The nurse would anticipate muscle weakness and cramping as a symptom, considering the use of digoxin and loop diuretic furosemide, which often lead to electrolyte imbalances and hypokalemia.

Step-by-step explanation:

A client is admitted to the hospital due to heart failure and digoxin toxicity. The client was taking digoxin (Lanoxin) and furosemide (Lasix) at home. When assessing for symptoms of digoxin toxicity and the effects of furosemide, it's important to understand the pharmacology of these medications. Digoxin can lead to symptoms such as confusion due to its effects on the central nervous system. Furosemide (Lasix) is a loop diuretic that acts on the loop of Henle in the kidneys, causing increased excretion of Na+ and Cl- ions. Combined with the effects of digoxin, the nurse would anticipate finding symptoms related to the cardiovascular and renal system alterations that these medications cause, such as electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. Muscle weakness and cramping are common symptoms associated with these medication effects and electrolyte imbalances, especially hypokalemia which is an important side effect of furosemide. Therefore, the symptom the nurse would most likely anticipate is muscle weakness and cramping (Option A).