A nurse is assessing a client who has heart failure and is taking digoxin. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an early indication of medication toxicity?
Visual disturbances
Sudden weight gain
Potassium 4.4 mEq/L
Insomnia
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason:
Visual disturbances is the correct findings. In individuals taking digoxin, visual disturbances such as blurred or yellow-tinted vision can indicate early signs of medication toxicity. This symptom often requires prompt medical attention, as it can precede more severe complications.
Choice B Reason:
Sudden weight gain is not correct. While weight gain can be a symptom of worsening heart failure, it's not typically associated specifically with digoxin toxicity. It's more commonly related to fluid retention in heart failure.
Choice C Reason:
Potassium 4.4 mEq/L is not correct. This potassium level is within the normal range. Digoxin toxicity can be exacerbated by low potassium levels, but a normal potassium level doesn't directly indicate digoxin toxicity.
Choice D Reason:
Insomnia is not a typical early sign of digoxin toxicity. It's more commonly associated with issues like difficulty sleeping rather than being a direct symptom of digoxin toxicity.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Tinnitus, a perception of noise or ringing in the ears, is not typically associated with paroxetine use.
Choice B Reason:
Drowsiness or somnolence is a common adverse effect associated with paroxetine and many other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It's crucial for clients to be aware of this potential side effect, especially when starting the medication or adjusting the dosage. It might affect their ability to perform tasks requiring alertness, such as driving or operating machinery.
Choice C Reason:
Peripheral edema, or swelling in the extremities, is not a common adverse effect linked specifically to paroxetine use.
Choice D Reason:
Alopecia is correct. Alopecia, or hair loss, is not a commonly reported adverse effect of paroxetine.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Contact the provider to clarify the prescription is not appropriate. Contacting the provider might not be necessary in this case. The prescription specifies "NOW," indicating an urgent administration, which is a clear directive to administer the medication promptly without further clarification.
Choice B Reason:
Administer the medication within 90 minutes is appropriate. "NOW" typically implies an urgent need for administration, and within a hospital setting, "NOW" often indicates a timeframe of around 90 minutes for prompt administration of the medication.
Choice C Reason:
Notify the pharmacy to send the medication immediately is inappropriate. With the prescription stating "NOW," the need for immediate administration usually requires using the hospital's available stock of the medication rather than waiting for delivery from the pharmacy. This action might cause a delay in administration.
Choice D Reason:
Inform the client there is a prescription available if needed is inappropriate. This option is not suitable in this scenario. "NOW" in the prescription implies the immediate need for administration, so informing the client about the availability of the prescription doesn't align with the urgency implied by the directive "NOW."
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