A nurse is caring for a newly admitted patient who will receive Digoxin to treat cardiac dysrhythmia.
The patient takes hydrochlorothiazide and reports regular use of OTC laxatives.
Before administering the first dose of Digoxin, the nurse will review the patient’s electrolyte levels with careful attention to which electrolytes?

Choice A rationale

Ineffective health maintenance is appropriate due to the patient's inability to provide names and purposes of medications, indicating insufficient knowledge of their regimen.

Choice B rationale

Noncompliance implies intentional refusal of medication, which is not evident here as the patient is unaware rather than refusing.

Choice C rationale

Acute confusion is not indicated as the patient appears oriented and not disoriented.

Choice D rationale

Risk-prone health behavior is not appropriate as it suggests engagement in harmful activities, which is not described.

Choice A rationale

Pharmacodynamics is the study of how drugs affect the body, including the mechanisms of action and the relationship between drug concentration and effect. It does not describe the actions of the nurses in this context.

Choice B rationale

Pharmacotherapeutics involves the use of drugs to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease. The actions of the nurses in administering iodine, chemotherapy, and vaccines are examples of pharmacotherapeutics, as they are using drugs for therapeutic purposes.

Choice C rationale

Pharmacoeconomics is the study of the cost and value of drugs and therapies. It does not describe the actions of the nurses in administering medications.

Choice D rationale

Pharmacokinetics is the study of how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes drugs. It does not describe the actions of the nurses in this context.