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A patient has been taking digoxin at home but took an accidental overdose and has developed toxicity. The patient has been admitted to the telemetry unit, where the physician has ordered digoxin immune Fab. The patient asks the nurse why the medication is ordered. What is the nurse's best response?
- A. It will increase your heart rate.
- B. This drug helps to lower your potassium levels.
- C. It causes your heart to beat at a slower rate.
- D. This drug is an antidote to digoxin and will help your heart to return to normal functioning.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Digoxin immune Fab (Digifab) is the antidote for a severe digoxin overdose and is given to reverse the life-threatening cardiotoxic effects. The other options are incorrect.
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The nurse notes in a patient's medical record that ivabradine has been ordered. Based on this order, the nurse interprets that the patient has which disorder?
- A. Heart failure with atrial fibrillation
- B. Early stages of heart failure
- C. Stable, symptomatic heart failure with an ejection fraction of 35% or less
- D. Unstable heart failure with an ejection fraction of less than 15%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ivabradine is indicated for the treatment of stable, symptomatic heart failure with an ejection fraction of 35% or less. A potential adverse effect is atrial fibrillation. The other options are not indications for ivabradine.
A patient has been placed on a milrinone infusion as part of the therapy for end-stage heart failure. What adverse effect of this drug will the nurse watch for when assessing this patient during the infusion?
- A. Hypertension
- B. Hyperkalemia
- C. Nausea and vomiting
- D. Cardiac dysrhythmias
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The primary adverse effects seen with milrinone are cardiac dysrhythmias, mainly ventricular. It may also cause hypotension, hypokalemia, and other effects, but not nausea and vomiting.
A patient has a digoxin level of 1.1 ng/mL. Which interpretation by the nurse is correct?
- A. It is below the therapeutic level.
- B. It is within the therapeutic range.
- C. It is above the therapeutic level.
- D. It is at a toxic level.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The normal therapeutic drug level of digoxin is between 0.5 and 2 ng/mL. The other options are incorrect.
A patient in the intensive care unit is on a dobutamine infusion and is to receive furosemide 40 mg IV now. What is the nurse's best action to administer the furosemide?
- A. Infuse the drug into the same intravenous line as the milrinone.
- B. Stop the milrinone, flush the line, and then administer the furosemide.
- C. Administer the furosemide in a separate intravenous line.
- D. Notify the prescriber that the furosemide cannot be given at this time.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide must not be injected into an intravenous line with milrinone because it will precipitate immediately. The infusion must not be stopped because of the patient's condition. A separate line will be needed. The other options are incorrect.
In assessing a patient before administration of a cardiac glycoside, the nurse knows that which lab result can increase the toxicity of the drug?
- A. Potassium level 2.8 mEq/L
- B. Potassium level 4.9 mEq/L
- C. Sodium level 140 mEq/L
- D. Calcium level 10 mg/dL
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hypokalemia increases the chance of digitalis toxicity. The other levels listed are incorrect.