A nurse is caring for a client who is taking digoxin 0.125 mg PO daily and is at risk for
developing digoxin toxicity. The nurse should monitor the client for an imbalance of which of the following electrolytes because it can increase the risk for digoxin toxicity?

An acute asthma attack is a sudden worsening of asthma symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, tightness in the chest, and difficulty breathing. These symptoms happen because the airways in the lungs become narrow, irritated, swollen, and produce excess mucus.

An asthma attack can be triggered by various factors, such as allergic reactions, respiratory infections, tobacco smoke, cold air, and exercise. These triggers cause the immune system to react and release chemicals that cause inflammation and constriction of the airways.

Based on this information, the best answer to the question is a. Inability to exhale retained carbon dioxide. This is because during an asthma attack, the narrowed airways make it harder to exhale the air from the lungs, which leads to a buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood. This can worsen the symptoms and cause acidosis, a condition where the blood becomes too acidic.

The other options are not correct because:

b. Acute loss of alveolar elasticity is not a cause of asthma attacks, but a consequence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a different lung condition that involves damage to the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs.
c. Decreased responsiveness of airways to allergens is not a cause of asthma attacks, but a goal of asthma treatment. Asthma medications aim to reduce the sensitivity and inflammation of the airways to prevent or reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.
d. Suppressed bronchiolar inflammatory response is not a cause of asthma attacks, but a potential side effect of some asthma medications, such as corticosteroids. These drugs can suppress the immune system and increase the risk of infections in the airways.

A mastectomy is a surgical removal of one or both breasts, usually done to treat breast cancer. The nurse should respect the client's autonomy and provide factual information about the procedure, its benefits and risks, and possible alternatives . The nurse should also assess the client's readiness to learn, address any concerns or fears, and offer emotional support . Telling the client to get a second opinion may imply that the nurse does not trust the surgeon or doubts the necessity of the procedure.

Telling the client that they will be cancer-free if they have the procedure may be false or misleading, as there may be residual cancer cells or recurrence after surgery. Giving the client a list of other people who had the same procedure may violate confidentiality and may not be helpful or relevant to the client's situation.