A patient states that he is seeing halos around lights. The ...

[tatyanajohnson]

A patient states that he is seeing halos around lights. The patient takes digoxin (Lanoxin) by mouth every day. The physician orders the patient to have serum digoxin level drawn.
 
  At what digoxin level would the care team first suspect that the patient is experiencing toxicity? A) 0.5 ng/mL
  B) 1.5 ng/mL
  C) 3.0 ng/mL
  D) 6.0 ng/mL

Question 2

A patient has a gastrostomy tube, and the pharmacy has delivered an extended-release tablet. What is the most appropriate action taken by the nurse?
 
  A) Administer the medication orally.
  B) Administer the medication through the tube.
  C) Crush the medication and administer half of it at a time.
  D) Call the pharmacy to obtain an immediate-release form.

[mmj22343]

Answer to Question 1

C
Feedback:
The therapeutic serum digoxin level is 0.8 to 2.0 ng/mL.

Answer to Question 2

D
Feedback:
The most important nursing action is to call the pharmacy to determine whether a liquid or a nonextended-release tablet can be substituted. Extended-release tablets should never be crushedthe patient would be placed at risk for overdose or potentially serious adverse effects or death. If the patient has a gastrostomy tube, then he or she cannot swallow and cannot take the pill orally. The medication cannot be administered through the tube because it will obstruct the tube.

[tatyanajohnson]

Thank you!

[mmj22343]

Always glad to help...