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The nurse is caring for a patient who will receive 10% calcium gluconate to treat a serum potassium level of 5.9 mEq/L. The nurse performs a drug history prior to beginning the infusion. Which drug taken by the patient would cause concern?

User BigBen
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Answer:Before administering calcium gluconate to treat hyperkalemia (high potassium levels), it's essential for the nurse to perform a drug history and identify any medications that might interact with calcium gluconate or increase the risk of adverse effects. One drug that can cause concern in this situation is digoxin.

Digoxin is a cardiac medication, and its effects on the heart can be influenced by calcium levels. Calcium and digoxin have a complex interaction, and elevated calcium levels can potentiate the effects of digoxin, potentially leading to digoxin toxicity. Therefore, if the patient is taking digoxin, it's important to be cautious when administering calcium gluconate for hyperkalemia.

User Insider
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