A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and has been taking digoxin 0.25 mg daily. The client refuses breakfast and reports nausea. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Suggest that the client rests before eating the meal.
Check the client's vital signs.
Request a dietary consult.
Request an order for an antiemetic.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Suggest that the client rests before eating the meal. Although rest can help with nausea, it does not address the potential issue of digoxin toxicity, which can cause nausea.
B. Check the client's vital signs. Checking vital signs, especially heart rate, is the priority because nausea can indicate digoxin toxicity, which affects heart function.
C. Request a dietary consult. A dietary consult may be helpful if the client continues to refuse meals, but it does not address the immediate potential for digoxin toxicity.
D. Request an order for an antiemetic. Although an antiemetic may help with nausea, assessing for toxicity takes priority.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. "I'll use my electric razor for shaving." This is correct as using an electric razor helps prevent cuts, which is important since warfarin increases bleeding risk.
B. "I'll be sure to eat foods with lots of vitamin K." Vitamin K reduces the effectiveness of warfarin; clients should be consistent with their intake of vitamin K to avoid fluctuations in INR.
C. "It's okay to have a couple of glasses of wine with dinner." Alcohol can increase the effect of warfarin and the risk of bleeding. Clients should avoid or limit alcohol intake.
D. "I'll take aspirin for my headaches." Aspirin also has anticoagulant effects and can increase bleeding risk when taken with warfarin.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. "I am constipated." Constipation is not a common indicator of digoxin toxicity; it may be more related to diet or other medications.
B. "My vision seems yellow." Yellow or blurred vision, also called xanthopsia, is a classic sign of digoxin toxicity and should be reported immediately.
C. "My tongue is red and beefy." A red and beefy tongue may indicate vitamin B12 deficiency, not digoxin toxicity.
D. "I am gaining weight." Weight gain is usually a sign of fluid retention or worsening heart failure, not specifically digoxin toxicity.