Author Question: A primary care NP is preparing to order digoxin for an 80-year-old patient who has systolic heart ... (Read 65 times)

Bob-Dole

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 547
A primary care NP is preparing to order digoxin for an 80-year-old patient who has systolic heart failure. The NP obtains renal function tests, which are normal. The NP should:
 
  a. prescribe a digoxin 0.125 mg tablet once daily.
  b. give an initial dose of 0.5 mg digoxin tablet and then 0.125 mg every 6 hours 4.
  c. administer a digoxin 0.6 mg capsule once and then 0.3 mg every 8 hours 3.
  d. administer a loading dose of intravenous digoxin in the clinic and then give 0.125 mg once daily.

Question 2

The primary care NP is prescribing a medication for an off-label use. To help prevent a medication error, the NP should:
 
  a. write off-label use on the prescription and provide a rationale.
  b. call the pharmacist to explain why the instructions deviate from common use.
  c. write the alternative drug regimen on the prescription and send it to the pharmacy.
  d. tell the patient to ignore the label directions and follow the verbal instructions given in the clinic.



Anna

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 343
Answer to Question 1

A
In primary care settings, slow digitalization rather than a loading dose is generally recommended because of the risk of toxicity. Digitalization may be achieved within 1 week with the use of small daily maintenance doses.

Answer to Question 2

A
When prescribing a drug for an off-label use, the provider should specify this on the written prescription and should provide a rationale so that the pharmacist understands why the prescription is different from the normal use. Calling the pharmacist would not provide written documentation. Merely writing the different instructions can lead to errors if the pharmacist changes the label to conform to usual standards. The patient may forget verbal instructions and follow the usual regimen instead.



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
 

Did you know?

The tallest man ever known was Robert Wadlow, an American, who reached the height of 8 feet 11 inches. He died at age 26 years from an infection caused by the immense weight of his body (491 pounds) and the stress on his leg bones and muscles.

Did you know?

The B-complex vitamins and vitamin C are not stored in the body and must be replaced each day.

Did you know?

Illicit drug use costs the United States approximately $181 billion every year.

Did you know?

More than 20 million Americans cite use of marijuana within the past 30 days, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). More than 8 million admit to using it almost every day.

Did you know?

Human kidneys will clean about 1 million gallons of blood in an average lifetime.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library