Calculate the mL's of Heparin you will administer.

Order: Heparin 100,000 units IV 98h

Available: Heparin 25,000 units/10 mL

A) "My heart rate may increase":
Digoxin is primarily used to slow the heart rate, not increase it. One of its actions is to increase the force of contraction of the heart while slowing the conduction through the atrioventricular (AV) node, which typically leads to a decreased heart rate. An increase in heart rate would be an unusual side effect and might indicate digoxin toxicity or another underlying issue.

B) "My vision may get blurred":
A common side effect of digoxin toxicity is visual disturbances, which may include blurred vision, yellow-green halos, or other color vision abnormalities. These symptoms are often associated with elevated digoxin levels in the blood and are a hallmark sign of toxicity.

C) "I may have constipation after taking this medication":
Constipation is not a typical side effect of digoxin. While some medications may cause constipation, this is not a primary or common side effect of digoxin. If constipation occurs, it may be due to other factors, such as diet, other medications, or a comorbid condition.

D) "My abdomen may hurt after taking this medication":
Although abdominal discomfort can be a side effect of many medications, it is not a primary or typical side effect of digoxin. If the patient experiences abdominal pain, it could be related to digoxin toxicity, especially if accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

A) Check the weight of the patient:
While weight monitoring is important in managing heart failure and tracking fluid retention, it is not the most critical action before administering digoxin. Digoxin primarily affects heart rate and rhythm, so the priority assessment is related to the cardiovascular system.

B) Check the skin for bruising:
Checking for bruising is not a necessary step before administering digoxin. Bruising could be an indication of an underlying bleeding disorder or anticoagulant therapy, but it is not directly related to the administration of digoxin. The primary concern with digoxin is its effect on the heart, particularly heart rate and rhythm.

C) Check the apical pulse:
It is crucial to check the apical pulse before administering digoxin, as one of the major effects of the drug is to slow the heart rate (negative chronotropy). If the heart rate is below 60 beats per minute (bpm), the nurse should hold the medication and consult the healthcare provider, as digoxin can further decrease the heart rate and lead to bradycardia or other complications.

D) Check the temperature of the patient:
Although monitoring vital signs, including temperature, is important in overall patient care, temperature does not specifically impact the administration of digoxin. A normal or abnormal temperature would not typically influence the decision to give digoxin unless the patient had a fever due to an underlying infection that could complicate the clinical picture. The priority is assessing the pulse to ensure safe administration of the medication.