A client admitted with heart failure overhears the health care ...

[jlmhmf]

A client admitted with heart failure overhears the health care provider discussing plans to digitalize the client and asks the nurse what this means. Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?
 
  1. The dose of digoxin gradually is increased until the heart tissue is saturated and symptoms of heart failure subside.
  2. You will be given a series of digoxin injections over the next few days.
  3. You will be given increasing doses of digoxin until you reach a toxic level, and then the drug will be stopped.
  4. You are given twice the usual dose of digoxin every day until therapeutic results are seen.

Question 2

The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. The nurse assesses an apical pulse of less than _____ beats per minute and must hold the medication and notify the health care provider.
 
  Standard Text: Record your answer rounding to the nearest whole number.
  Fill in the blank with the appropriate word.

[FergA]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Digitalization is the process in which the dose of digoxin gradually is increased until the heart tissue is saturated and symptoms of heart failure subside.
Rationale 2: Although the doses would be given over the next few days, the answer is not specific enough.
Rationale 3: The doses are not increased to toxic levels.
Rationale 4: Twice the normal dose is not given.
Global Rationale: Digitalization is the process in which the dose of digoxin gradually is increased until the heart tissue is saturated and symptoms of heart failure subside. Although the doses would be given over the next few days, the answer is not specific enough. The doses are not increased to toxic levels. Twice the normal dose is not given.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 60
Rationale: As a general rule, if the apical pulse falls below 60 beats per minute, the medication is withheld and the health care provider notified.
Global Rationale: As a general rule, if the apical pulse falls below 60 beats per minute, the medication is withheld and the health care provider notified.

[jlmhmf]

TYSM

[bbburns21]

Excellent