A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client who has left-sided heart failure.
Which of the following clinical manifestations should the nurse expect to see in this client? (Select all that apply.).

Choice A rationale:

Withholding the digoxin dose for a decreased heart rate is the correct action. Digoxin is a medication used to treat heart failure, but it can lead to bradycardia (slow heart rate) as a side effect. In this scenario, the client's heart rate is already at 54 beats per minute, which is below the normal range. Administering digoxin could further slow the heart rate, potentially leading to dangerous bradycardia or heart block. Withholding the medication is essential to prevent this adverse event.

Choice B rationale:

Administering digoxin 0.25 mg is not the appropriate action in this case. The client's heart rate is already below the normal range, and giving the full dose of digoxin could further depress the heart rate and increase the risk of bradycardia. Withholding the medication is the safer course of action.

Choice C rationale:

Administering digoxin 0.125 mg is not recommended because the client's heart rate is already below the normal range. While a reduced dose may be considered in some situations, it's essential to withhold the medication and consult with the healthcare provider in this specific case, as the client's heart rate is significantly low.

Choice D rationale:

Withholding the digoxin dose for elevated BP is not the appropriate action. Digoxin is primarily used to treat heart failure by increasing the force of cardiac contractions. Elevated blood pressure is not an indication to withhold digoxin. The focus should be on addressing the low heart rate in this scenario. .

Choice A rationale:

Fine rales Fine rales, also known as crackles, are typically associated with conditions like pulmonary edema, pneumonia, or interstitial lung diseases. These sounds are often described as "crackling" or "popping" and are heard during inspiration. In an acute asthma exacerbation, expiratory wheezing is more characteristic than fine rales.

Choice B rationale:

Rhonchi Rhonchi are continuous, low-pitched sounds that can be heard in conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchitis. They are typically present during both inspiration and expiration. In an acute asthma exacerbation, you would expect to hear wheezing during expiration, which is different from the characteristics of rhonchi.

Choice D rationale:

Pleural friction rub Pleural friction rub is a grating, leathery sound caused by the inflamed pleura rubbing against each other. It is typically heard during both inspiration and expiration and is associated with conditions like pleuritis or pleurisy. It is not commonly associated with acute asthma exacerbation. Now, let's move on to the next question.