A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin 5 mg PO to a client. The amount available is digoxin 0.5 mg/tablet. How many tablets should the nurse administer? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number, Use leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

A) Diaphoresis:
While diaphoresis (excessive sweating) may occur with some cardiac or respiratory conditions, it is not a primary or expected sign of circulatory overload. Circulatory overload generally involves fluid accumulation in the body, and symptoms are more likely related to fluid retention and increased workload on the heart rather than sweating.

B) Weight loss:
Weight loss is not typically associated with circulatory overload. In fact, one of the hallmark signs of circulatory overload is weight gain due to fluid retention. The body retains excess fluid in the vascular system, leading to an increase in weight rather than weight loss.

C) Hypotension:
Hypotension (low blood pressure) is generally not associated with circulatory overload. Circulatory overload typically results in elevated blood pressure due to the increased volume of circulating fluid. In some cases, if the heart is unable to handle the increased volume, symptoms like pulmonary edema or shortness of breath can occur, but hypotension is more commonly seen in conditions like shock or severe fluid loss.

D) Tachycardia:
Tachycardia (an elevated heart rate) is a common finding in circulatory overload. When there is an excess of fluid in the body, the heart has to work harder to pump the additional volume of blood, leading to an increased heart rate. This is a compensatory response to the increased workload on the heart. It is also a sign that the body is attempting to maintain adequate tissue perfusion despite the excess fluid volume.

A) Chloride 112:
Chloride levels are typically not directly associated with numbness or tingling of the hands and fingers. Elevated chloride levels (greater than 108 mEq/L) may indicate metabolic acidosis, but they would not directly explain the symptoms seen in this client following parathyroidectomy. Therefore, this value is unlikely to be relevant in this scenario.

B) Calcium 7.5:
After the partial removal of the parathyroid glands, the client may experience hypocalcemia, or low calcium levels, due to the reduced production of parathyroid hormone (PTH). PTH helps regulate calcium levels in the blood. When the parathyroid glands are removed or damaged, there may be insufficient PTH to maintain normal calcium levels, leading to hypocalcemia. Symptoms of hypocalcemia include numbness and tingling, especially in the hands and fingers. A calcium level of 7.5 mg/dL is below the normal range (8.5–10.5 mg/dL), indicating hypocalcemia, which is consistent with the patient's symptoms.

C) Potassium 4.0:
A potassium level of 4.0 mEq/L is within the normal range (3.5–5.0 mEq/L) and does not typically cause numbness or tingling. Although potassium imbalances can cause neuromuscular symptoms, they would not be the most likely cause of the symptoms in this case, especially in relation to parathyroidectomy.

D) Calcium 12.1:
A calcium level of 12.1 mg/dL is elevated and would suggest hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia can cause symptoms like fatigue, confusion, and weakness, but it does not typically cause numbness and tingling in the hands and fingers. Elevated calcium levels are more likely to occur in conditions such as hyperparathyroidism or malignancy, not typically following parathyroid gland removal. Therefore, this is not the expected lab result in this scenario.