NCLEX · Cardiac Care

A nurse is monitoring a client receiving digoxin. Which finding would indicate possible digoxin toxicity?

Correct answer

Nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances (yellow-green halos), and bradycardia

  1. A Clear lung sounds
  2. B Heart rate of 80 bpm
  3. C Blood pressure of 120/80
  4. D Nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances (yellow-green halos), and bradycardia

Why this is the answer

DIGOXIN TOXICITY signs include: nausea, vomiting, anorexia; VISUAL DISTURBANCES (blurred or yellow-green vision, halos around lights); BRADYCARDIA (slow heart rate) and dysrhythmias; confusion, weakness. NCLEX physiological/pharmacology. Digoxin has a NARROW therapeutic range (0.5-2.0 ng/mL); toxicity is common. HOLD digoxin and notify the provider if the apical pulse is below 60 bpm (assess apical pulse for a full minute before administering). HYPOKALEMIA increases the risk of toxicity (monitor potassium, especially with diuretics). The antidote for severe toxicity is digoxin immune Fab. Recognizing digoxin toxicity (GI symptoms, visual changes, bradycardia) is a heavily tested NCLEX pharmacology concept.
Source: NCLEX Physiological — Digoxin Toxicity

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About this topic: Cardiac Care

Cardiac care questions cover chest pain assessment, MI and heart failure management, dysrhythmia recognition, cardiac medications and the post-procedure care after catheterisation. This is one of 10 RN: Physiological Integrity questions on cardiac care, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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