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The client is prescribed digoxin for the treatment of heart failure. Which of the following statements made by the client indicates an understanding of the medication regimen?

Explanation

• Digoxin improves cardiac output by the slowing and strengthening of contractions.

• In patients taking large doses of spironolactone, a potassium-sparing diuretic, hyperkalemia and digitalis toxicity may result even at low serum digoxin levels.  This drug may also interfere with tests to measure digoxin levels in the blood.

• A somewhat decreased heart rate is expected, but patients are often advised to call the physician if their pulse is below 60 before taking their dose.

• Visual changes are some of the clinical manifestations of digoxin toxicity, and the physician should be notified,

• Palpitations or irregular heartbeat can indicate digoxin toxicity. The cardiac manifestations of digitalis toxicity can include virtually any type of arrhythmia with the exception of rapidly conducted atrial arrhythmias.

• Digoxin preparations have a narrow window of therapeutic efficacy, and toxicity from digitalis is common, occurring in about one in five clients.

• Spironolactone increases the plasma concentration of digoxin by inhibiting tubular secretion of digitalis and resulting in decreased renal clearance.

 

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