Final answer:
The therapeutic effect of digoxin for heart failure is an improved respiratory status due to reduced pulmonary congestion and increased urinary output from better kidney perfusion, not an increase in heart rate nor diaphoresis. The correct answer to the question is A: Improved respiratory status with increased urinary output.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question is A: Improved respiratory status with increased urinary output. Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside, not a diuretic, and its primary therapeutic effect is to improve cardiac function in heart failure patients by increasing the force of myocardial contraction. As a result, it helps in improving circulation and reducing the symptoms of congestion in conditions like heart failure. An improved respiratory status can occur due to the alleviation of pulmonary congestion, while an increased urinary output results from better kidney perfusion.
Digoxin does not typically increase the heart rate; in fact, it often decreases it by increasing vagal (parasympathetic) tone. Moreover, while digoxin can sometimes lead to a drop in blood pressure due to an improved cardiac output, its primary effect on blood pressure is not as significant as its effects on these other factors. Lastly, diaphoresis (sweating) and changes in urinary output are not direct therapeutic effects associated with digoxin therapy in heart failure patients.