A nurse is collecting data from an infant who has heart failure and is taking digoxin. The nurse should identify which of the following findings as an indication of digoxin toxicity?

Rationale for Correct Choices:

• Consult the child life specialist for guidance: A child life specialist can help the parent navigate the difficult conversation with their adolescent, providing strategies for addressing sensitive topics like metastasis and death.
• Reinforce teaching to the parent regarding the adolescent's potential emotional responses: Educating the parent on common emotional responses helps them prepare for and better support their adolescent through this challenging time.

Rationale for Incorrect Choices:

• Encourage the parent to hide their emotions from their adolescent: Hiding emotions can create barriers to trust and communication, which can make the adolescent feel isolated or confused.
• Instruct the parent to withhold the test results from their adolescent: Withholding important information can prevent the adolescent from understanding their condition and making informed decisions about their care.
• Discourage the parent from discussing the possibility of death with their adolescent: Avoiding discussions about death can prevent the adolescent from processing their emotions and understanding the reality of their situation.
• Collaborate with the RN to initiate a referral for admission to hospice care: Hospice care should only be considered after emotional support and clear communication have been established, not prematurely without addressing emotional needs first.

• Maintain infant in supine position: Given the infant's respiratory distress, including labored breathing, retractions, and nasal flaring, placing the infant in a supine position could worsen respiratory difficulties. The infant should be kept upright or in a semi-Fowler’s position to promote optimal breathing.
• Prepare the infant for a chest x-ray: A chest x-ray is crucial to assess the infant’s respiratory status and potential cardiac issues to identify any underlying causes of the symptoms, such as pneumonia, wheezing, cough, and labored breathing.
• Maintain infant on continuous pulse oximetry: Continuous pulse oximetry is essential for monitoring the infant's oxygen saturation levels. The infant is already on supplemental oxygen, and continuous monitoring will ensure that the oxygen levels are maintained and help identify any worsening of the respiratory condition.
• Monitor intake and output: Given the infant's poor feeding (consuming only half a bottle in the past 24 hours), monitoring intake and output is crucial to assess hydration status and nutritional needs. Decreased intake and output can indicate dehydration or worsening of the infant's condition.
• Initiate a peripheral IV line: Due to the infant’s poor feeding and the possibility of dehydration, establishing a peripheral IV line will allow for proper hydration and the administration of fluids or medications, as necessary, for the infant’s condition.
• Offer small, frequent feedings: Offering small, frequent feedings is appropriate for an infant with respiratory distress and decreased appetite. This can reduce the risk of aspiration and help ensure the infant receives adequate nutrition despite the difficulty with feeding.