A mother calls the nurse to report that at 0900 she administered an oral dose of digoxin to her 4-month-old infant, but at 0920 the baby vomited the medicine. Which instruction should the nurse provide to this mother?
Administer a half dose now.
Give another dose.
Mix the next dose with food.
Withhold this dose.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A: Administering a half dose now is not advisable, because it may result in underdosing or overdosing of digoxin. Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic range and a high risk of toxicity, especially in infants and children. The amount of digoxin absorbed by the infant before vomiting is unknown, so giving a partial dose may not achieve therapeutic levels or may exceed safe levels.
Choice B: Giving another dose is not advisable, because it may result in overdosing of digoxin. Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic range and a high risk of toxicity, especially in infants and children. The amount of digoxin absorbed by the infant before vomiting is unknown, so giving a full dose may exceed safe levels and cause adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, bradycardia, arrhythmias, or visual disturbances.
Choice C: Mixing the next dose with food is not advisable, because it may affect the absorption and bioavailability of digoxin. Digoxin should be taken on an empty stomach or at least one hour before or two hours after meals, because food can interfere with its absorption from the gastrointestinal tract and reduce its effectiveness.
Choice D: Withholding the dose is the safest option. If vomiting occurs within 30 minutes of administration, it’s generally advised to skip that dose to avoid the risk of overdose. The next dose should be given as scheduled Digoxin has a long half-life and accumulates in tissues, so missing one dose will not significantly affect its therapeutic effect. Withholding this dose will avoid overdosing and toxicity of digoxin, which can be life-threatening in infants and children. The nurse should also advise the mother to resume the regular dosing schedule and monitor the infant's pulse rate and signs of digoxin toxicity.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A: Assessing pupillary response to light hourly is not an intervention that the nurse should implement while administering dopamine, as this is not related to the effects or side effects of dopamine. This is a distractor choice.
Choice B: Initiating seizure precautions is not an intervention that the nurse should implement while administering dopamine, as this is not a common or expected complication of dopamine. This is another distractor choice.
Choice C: Monitoring serum potassium frequently is not an intervention that the nurse should implement while administering dopamine, as this is not affected by dopamine or hypotension. This is another distractor choice.
Choice D: Measuring urinary output every hour is an intervention that the nurse should implement while administering dopamine, as this can indicate the effectiveness of dopamine in improving renal perfusion and blood pressure. Therefore, this is the correct choice.
Correct Answer is ["A","B"]
Explanation
Choice A: Avoid salt substitutes. This client needs additional education, as salt substitutes may contain potassium, which can increase the risk of hyperkalemia in clients with coronary artery disease. The nurse should teach the client to use herbs, spices, or lemon juice to flavor food instead of salt or salt substitutes.
Choice B: Consume canned vegetables. This client needs additional education, as canned vegetables may contain sodium, which can increase the blood pressure and worsen coronary artery disease. The nurse should teach the client to choose fresh or frozen vegetables instead of canned ones.
Choice C: Include oatmeal for breakfast. This client does not need additional education, as oatmeal is a good source of soluble fiber, which can lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. The nurse should praise the client for this healthy choice.
Choice D: Identify foods with saturated fats. This client does not need additional education, as identifying foods with saturated fats is an important step to avoid them. Saturated fats can raise cholesterol and increase the risk of coronary artery disease. The nurse should teach the client to limit saturated fats to less than 10% of total calories per day.
Choice E: Walk 30 minutes per day. This client does not need additional education, as walking 30 minutes per day is a recommended physical activity for clients with coronary artery disease. Physical activity can improve blood circulation, lower blood pressure, and reduce stress. The nurse should encourage the client to walk at a moderate pace and consult with the healthcare provider before starting any exercise program.
Choice F: Keep a food diary. This client does not need additional education, as keeping a food diary is a helpful tool to monitor dietary intake and identify areas for improvement. The nurse should teach the client to record the type, amount, and time of food consumed, as well as any symptoms or feelings associated with eating.
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