A nurse is evaluating a client who has heart failure and is receiving warfarin. Which of the following statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?

Digoxin (Lanoxin) is a cardiac glycoside that is used to improve the contractility of the heart and slow down the heart rate in patients with chronic heart failure. However, digoxin has a narrow therapeutic range and can cause toxicity if the dose is too high or if the patient has low potassium levels. A normal serum digoxin level is 0.5 to 2 ng/mL and a normal serum potassium level is 3.5 to 5 mEq/L. A low heart rate (less than 60 beats/min) is a sign of digoxin toxicity and the nurse should withhold the medication and report it to the provider. The nurse should also check the patient’s serum digoxin and potassium levels to determine if they are within normal limits.

Choice A is wrong because administering the medication as ordered could worsen the patient’s condition and increase the risk of digoxin toxicity.

Choice C is wrong because checking the patient’s serum digoxin level is not enough to prevent digoxin toxicity. The nurse should also check the patient’s serum potassium level and heart rate before giving digoxin.

Choice D is wrong because giving an additional dose of digoxin could cause a fatal overdose and lead to cardiac arrest. The nurse should never give more than the prescribed dose of digoxin without consulting the provider.

Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic that increases urine output and decreases intracranial pressure and intraocular pressure. The nurse should check the urine output before giving the medication to ensure adequate renal function and prevent fluid overload and electrolyte imbalance. The normal urine output is 0.5 to 1 mL/kg/hr.

Choice B is wrong because checking the blood pressure is not specific to mannitol administration. Mannitol can cause hypotension or hypertension depending on the fluid status of the client, but this is not the priority action before giving the medication.

Choice C is wrong because checking the blood glucose is not relevant to mannitol administration. Mannitol does not affect blood glucose levels.

Choice D is wrong because checking the oxygen saturation is not related to mannitol administration. Mannitol does not affect oxygen saturation levels.