A nurse is assisting in the plan of care for a client who is receiving digoxin to treat heart failure. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?
Measure the client's apical pulse rate for 30 seconds before administration.
Withhold the medication if the client's heart rate is above 100/min.
Instruct the client to eat foods that are low in potassium.
Monitor the client for nausea, vomiting, and yellow vision.
The Correct Answer is D
A. The nurse should measure the apical pulse for a full minute (not 30 seconds) before administering digoxin. If the pulse is below 60 beats per minute, the medication should be withheld, making this option incomplete.
B. Digoxin should be withheld if the heart rate is below 60/min, not above 100/min. This statement does not reflect proper nursing protocol.
C. Clients taking digoxin should maintain adequate potassium levels, so advising low potassium intake is incorrect. Foods rich in potassium are encouraged.
D. Monitoring for symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and yellow vision is essential, as these may indicate digoxin toxicity, making this option correct.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Applying ice to the extremity is generally not recommended for DVT due to the risk of promoting vasoconstriction and worsening the condition; warm compresses are usually indicated instead.
B. There is no need to restrict oral fluids for a client with DVT unless there are other specific medical reasons; hydration is important.
C. Vasodilating medications are not standard treatment for DVT and may not be appropriate; anticoagulants are typically the primary treatment.
D. Monitoring platelet levels is important in managing DVT, especially when anticoagulants are used, to assess for potential complications such as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), making this option correct.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Acetylcysteine is an antidote for acetaminophen overdose and is not related to reversing heparin effects.
B. Protamine sulfate is the specific antidote for heparin and is used to reverse its anticoagulant effects in cases of overdose or when surgery is needed.
C. Vitamin K is used to reverse the effects of anticoagulants like warfarin, not heparin, making it incorrect in this context.
D. Deferoxamine is used to treat iron toxicity and has no relevance to heparin reversal, making this option incorrect.