NUR 316- PREP U CHAP 44, 46 | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION.
A patient is experiencing nausea and visual disturbances when taking digoxin
(Lanoxin). Which medication will be administered?
Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
Nesiritide (Natrecor)
Felbamate (Felbatol)
Digoxin immune fab (Digibind) Answer - Digoxin immune fab (Digibind)
Explanation:
A patient who has nausea and visual changes while taking digoxin will most
likely be administered digoxin immune fab (Digibind). Acetylsalicylic acid is not
administered for digoxin toxicity. Nesiritide is not administered when the
patient is experiencing digoxin toxicity. Felbamate is administered for the
treatment of seizures.
Mrs. Houston is a 78-year-old woman who resides in an assisted living facility.
Her doctor prescribed digoxin at her last visit to the clinic and she has
approached the nurse who makes regular visits to the assisted-living facility
about this new drug. What teaching point should the nurse emphasize to Mrs.
Houston?
The importance of having required laboratory work performed on time
,The need to take the medication at the same time each day regardless of her
heart rate
The correct technique for using a home blood pressure cuff
Timing household activities to coincide with the administration times of her
digoxin Answer - The importance of having required laboratory work
performed on time
Explanation:
Patients taking digoxin need to know the importance of having all laboratory
work (serum drug levels; electrolytes) performed on time. Digoxin is not taken
if the patient is bradycardic, and it does not provide an immediate or short-
term increase in exercise tolerance. Blood pressure monitoring is not normally
required for patients who are taking digoxin.
What is the most accurate method for preventing adverse effects associated
with the use of digoxin?
Teach patients to take their digoxin in divided doses with each meal.
Assess the patient's heart rate and hold administration if it is less than 60.
Teach patients the signs and symptoms of heart failure.
Monitor therapeutic effects based on echocardiogram results. Answer - Assess
the patient's heart rate and hold administration if it is less than 60.
Explanation:
Patients should be taught to hold their digoxin if their heart rate is less than 60
(or some other defined heart rate). Divided doses are not normally used and an
awareness of heart failure does not preclude adverse effects of digoxin.
,The nurse is to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. The nurse
auscultates an apical pulse rate of 52. What action should the nurse take?
Administer medication
Notify the physician
Assess the blood pressure
Administer half of the dose Answer - Notify the physician
Explanation:
Before administering each dose of digoxin, take the apical pulse rate for 60
seconds. If the apical rate is below 60 beats per minute, withhold the drug and
notify the physician. Blood pressure is not affected by digoxin. Without
prescriptive authority, the nurse cannot change medication dosages.
After teaching a class of students about heart failure and drug therapy, the
instructor determines that the teaching has been successful when the students
identify which drug as most often used as treatment? Answer - Digoxin
Explanation:
Digoxin is the drug most often used to treat heart failure. Human B-type
natriuretic peptide, nitrate, or furosemide also may be used, but these drugs
are not the ones most commonly used.
When educating a group of nursing students on the mechanisms of action of
digitalis, the nurse identifies what as the pharmacological actions of digitalis?
(Select all that apply.) Answer - It increases cardiac output by positive inotropic
action
It decreases the heart rate through negative chronotropic effect
, It retards the conduction velocity through the AV node in the heart
Explanation:
The pharmacological actions of digitalis are increased cardiac output,
decreased heart rate, and retarding conduction velocity. Digitalis increases
cardiac output by positive inotropic action. It does not have negative inotropic
action. It decreases the heart rate through negative chronotropic effect. In
atrial fibrillation rapid atrial contractions are seen. Digitalis is used to treat
atrial fibrillation.
A patient with class-IV CHF has a medication regimen consisting of metoprolol
(Lopressor), enalapril (Vasotec), and furosemide (Lasix). In addition to regularly
assessing the patient's heart rate, the nurse should prioritize assessment of the
patient's
intake and output.
blood pressure.
cognition.
exercise tolerance. Answer - blood pressure.
Explanation:
Fluid balance, cognition, and exercise tolerance are all affected by CHF and
should be regularly assessed as part of thorough nursing care. However, the
combination of an ACE inhibitor, a beta blocker, and a diuretic constitutes a
significant risk for hypotension and indicates a need for frequent blood
pressure monitoring.
Which is an adverse reaction associated with cardiotonic medications?
2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION.
A patient is experiencing nausea and visual disturbances when taking digoxin
(Lanoxin). Which medication will be administered?
Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
Nesiritide (Natrecor)
Felbamate (Felbatol)
Digoxin immune fab (Digibind) Answer - Digoxin immune fab (Digibind)
Explanation:
A patient who has nausea and visual changes while taking digoxin will most
likely be administered digoxin immune fab (Digibind). Acetylsalicylic acid is not
administered for digoxin toxicity. Nesiritide is not administered when the
patient is experiencing digoxin toxicity. Felbamate is administered for the
treatment of seizures.
Mrs. Houston is a 78-year-old woman who resides in an assisted living facility.
Her doctor prescribed digoxin at her last visit to the clinic and she has
approached the nurse who makes regular visits to the assisted-living facility
about this new drug. What teaching point should the nurse emphasize to Mrs.
Houston?
The importance of having required laboratory work performed on time
,The need to take the medication at the same time each day regardless of her
heart rate
The correct technique for using a home blood pressure cuff
Timing household activities to coincide with the administration times of her
digoxin Answer - The importance of having required laboratory work
performed on time
Explanation:
Patients taking digoxin need to know the importance of having all laboratory
work (serum drug levels; electrolytes) performed on time. Digoxin is not taken
if the patient is bradycardic, and it does not provide an immediate or short-
term increase in exercise tolerance. Blood pressure monitoring is not normally
required for patients who are taking digoxin.
What is the most accurate method for preventing adverse effects associated
with the use of digoxin?
Teach patients to take their digoxin in divided doses with each meal.
Assess the patient's heart rate and hold administration if it is less than 60.
Teach patients the signs and symptoms of heart failure.
Monitor therapeutic effects based on echocardiogram results. Answer - Assess
the patient's heart rate and hold administration if it is less than 60.
Explanation:
Patients should be taught to hold their digoxin if their heart rate is less than 60
(or some other defined heart rate). Divided doses are not normally used and an
awareness of heart failure does not preclude adverse effects of digoxin.
,The nurse is to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. The nurse
auscultates an apical pulse rate of 52. What action should the nurse take?
Administer medication
Notify the physician
Assess the blood pressure
Administer half of the dose Answer - Notify the physician
Explanation:
Before administering each dose of digoxin, take the apical pulse rate for 60
seconds. If the apical rate is below 60 beats per minute, withhold the drug and
notify the physician. Blood pressure is not affected by digoxin. Without
prescriptive authority, the nurse cannot change medication dosages.
After teaching a class of students about heart failure and drug therapy, the
instructor determines that the teaching has been successful when the students
identify which drug as most often used as treatment? Answer - Digoxin
Explanation:
Digoxin is the drug most often used to treat heart failure. Human B-type
natriuretic peptide, nitrate, or furosemide also may be used, but these drugs
are not the ones most commonly used.
When educating a group of nursing students on the mechanisms of action of
digitalis, the nurse identifies what as the pharmacological actions of digitalis?
(Select all that apply.) Answer - It increases cardiac output by positive inotropic
action
It decreases the heart rate through negative chronotropic effect
, It retards the conduction velocity through the AV node in the heart
Explanation:
The pharmacological actions of digitalis are increased cardiac output,
decreased heart rate, and retarding conduction velocity. Digitalis increases
cardiac output by positive inotropic action. It does not have negative inotropic
action. It decreases the heart rate through negative chronotropic effect. In
atrial fibrillation rapid atrial contractions are seen. Digitalis is used to treat
atrial fibrillation.
A patient with class-IV CHF has a medication regimen consisting of metoprolol
(Lopressor), enalapril (Vasotec), and furosemide (Lasix). In addition to regularly
assessing the patient's heart rate, the nurse should prioritize assessment of the
patient's
intake and output.
blood pressure.
cognition.
exercise tolerance. Answer - blood pressure.
Explanation:
Fluid balance, cognition, and exercise tolerance are all affected by CHF and
should be regularly assessed as part of thorough nursing care. However, the
combination of an ACE inhibitor, a beta blocker, and a diuretic constitutes a
significant risk for hypotension and indicates a need for frequent blood
pressure monitoring.
Which is an adverse reaction associated with cardiotonic medications?
