Which of the following would Nurse Tony supposed to regard as a cardinal manifestation or symptom of digoxin toxicity to his patient Clay diagnosed with heart failure?
Constipation
Respiratory distress
Headache
Extreme Bradycardia
The Correct Answer is D
Digoxin is a medication commonly used to treat heart failure and certain heart rhythm disorders. However, it has a narrow therapeutic window, and digoxin toxicity can occur if the drug accumulates in the body to excessive levels. One of the hallmark signs of digoxin toxicity is severe bradycardia, which means an abnormally slow heart rate. Bradycardia can result from the effects of digoxin on the electrical conduction system of the heart, leading to an irregular or slowed heartbeat.
While other symptoms can occur in digoxin toxicity, such as gastrointestinal symptoms (like nausea and vomiting), neurological symptoms (like confusion and visual disturbances), and even respiratory distress in severe cases, extreme bradycardia is a key and often life-threatening sign that requires immediate medical attention.
Constipation (A) and headache (C) can also occur as side effects of digoxin but are less specific to digoxin toxicity and may not be considered cardinal manifestations.
Respiratory distress (B) may occur if the bradycardia leads to inadequate cardiac output, causing pulmonary congestion, but it is not a primary or cardinal symptom of digoxin toxicity. Extreme bradycardia is typically the more immediate and prominent concern.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["Kawasaki disease"," evidenced by the patient's diagnosis of fever for 6 days"," strawberry tongue"," cervical lymphadenopathy"," and irritability."]
Explanation
Kawasaki disease, evidenced by the patient's diagnosis of fever for 6 days, strawberry tongue, cervical lymphadenopathy, and irritability.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Decreased cardiac output is a common consequence of various cardiac conditions in children. In this scenario, the child's cool extremities and thready pulses indicate poor peripheral perfusion, which can occur when the heart is not effectively pumping blood to meet the body's demands. Decreased urinary output is another sign of poor cardiac output, as reduced blood flow to the kidneys can result in decreased urine production.
The other options may contribute to decreased cardiac output, but they are not the primary factors indicated by the clinical findings:
A. Increased afterload: Increased afterload can make it more difficult for the heart to pump blood effectively, but it is not the primary cause of the symptoms described.
C. Decreased contractility: Decreased contractility can reduce the heart's ability to pump blood, contributing to decreased cardiac output, but it is not the primary factor indicated by the clinical findings.
D. Increased stroke volume: An increase in stroke volume typically results in improved cardiac output, not diminished cardiac output as seen in this scenario.
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