Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 63%
Simulated
A nurse is caring for a patient who has a prescription for digoxin. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider before administering the medication? Which finding should the nurse report before digoxin?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
The correct answer is C: Potassium level 3.2 mEq/L. This finding should be reported to the provider before administering digoxin because hypokalemia can increase the risk of digoxin toxicity. Digoxin and hypokalemia can lead to life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias. A potassium level below the normal range (3.5-5.0 mEq/L) can potentiate the effects of digoxin on the heart, leading to serious complications.
The other options (A, B, D) are within normal limits and not directly related to the potential interactions with digoxin. Therefore, they do not pose an immediate risk to the patient in the context of digoxin administration. Reporting a potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L is crucial to prevent adverse effects and ensure the safety of the patient.
The other options (A, B, D) are within normal limits and not directly related to the potential interactions with digoxin. Therefore, they do not pose an immediate risk to the patient in the context of digoxin administration. Reporting a potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L is crucial to prevent adverse effects and ensure the safety of the patient.