Digoxin - Davis's Drug Guide For Nurses |7 Questions| With Correct Answers.

What are the desired outcomes of digoxin therapy? {Ans: 1. Decrease in severity of HF 2. Increase in cardiac output 3. Decrease in ventricular response in atrial tachyarrhythmias 4. Termination of paroxysmal (suddenly recurring) atrial tachycardia}What are possible life-threatening adverse reactions to digoxin? {Ans: Arrhythmias}What should be assessed when giving digoxin? {Ans: Monitor apical pulse 1 full minute before administering. Hold if pulse is <60 bpm. Assess lungs for crackles Assess for edema Assess for toxicity in geriatrics: Abdominal pain Anorexia Nausea Vomiting Visual disturbance Bradycardia Arrhythmias}What is digoxin and why is the patient taking it? {Ans: It is an antiarrhythmic medication that treats heart failure, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and paroxysmal atrial tachycardia.}What patient teaching is appropriate when administering digoxin to an older adult? {Ans: Review signs of toxicity: Abdominal pain Anorexia Nausea Vomiting Visual disturbance Bradycardia Arrhythmias}What are the common side effects of digoxin? {Ans: Fatigue Bradycardia Anorexia Nausea Vomiting}How does digoxin work? {Ans: 1. It increases the force of myocardial contraction 2. It prolongs refractory period of the AV node 3. It decreases conduction through the SA and AV nodes}