Question

The nurse is caring for a patient with chronic heart failure and atrial fibrillation that takes digoxin and a thiazide diuretic. Which statement made by the patient indicates that the patient is experiencing a complication related to the medication

Answer 1

Answer:

"I'm not really hungry for lunch. I feel so nauseated and tired."

Explanation:

"I'm not really hungry for lunch. I feel so nauseated and tired."

Drug therapy with digoxin and potassium-losing diuretics (thiazides or loop diuretics) may lead to hypokalemia. The presence of hypokalemia while the patient is on digoxin may lead to digoxin toxicity. Signs of early digoxin toxicity include anorexia, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, headache, depression, and visual changes. Slightly swollen ankles are an expected finding with chronic heart failure; frequent urination is an expected effect of the diuretic. The heart rate of 90 beats/minute is normal.