Exam 24: Heart Failure Drugs

Which drug classes are considered first-line treatment for heart failure?

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 (Digifab). The patient asks the nurse why the medication is ordered. What is the nurse's best response?

A patient has a digoxin level of 1.1 ng/mL. Which interpretation by the nurse is correct?

In assessing a patient before administration of a cardiac glycoside, the nurse knows that which lab result can increase the toxicity of the drug?

The nurse is reviewing discharge teaching for a patient who will be taking digoxin (Lanoxin) therapy. The nurse will teach the patient to avoid which foods when taking the digoxin?

When a patient is experiencing digoxin toxicity, which clinical situation would necessitate the use of digoxin immune Fab (Digifab)?

When administering digoxin immune Fab (Digibind) to a patient with severe digoxin toxicity, the nurse knows that each vial can bind with how much digoxin?

A patient has been placed on a milrinone (Primacor) 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 patient about to receive a morning dose of digoxin has an apical pulse of 50 beats/min. What will the nurse do next?

The medication order for a 5-year-old child reads, "Give digoxin elixir, 15 mcg/kg, PO now." Convert the 15 micrograms to milligrams. _______

While assessing a patient who is receiving intravenous digitalis, the nurse recognizes that the drug has a negative chronotropic effect. How would this drug effect be evident in the patient?

A patient is taking digoxin (Lanoxin) and a loop diuretic daily. When the nurse enters the room with the morning medications, the patient states, "I am seeing a funny yellow color around the lights." What is the nurse's next action?

The nurse administering the phosphodiesterase inhibitor milrinone (Primacor) recognizes that this drug will have a positive inotropic effect. Which result reflects this effect?

A patient is in the intensive care unit and receiving an infusion of milrinone (Primacor) for severe heart failure. The prescriber has written an order for an intravenous dose of furosemide (Lasix). How will the nurse give this drug?

The nurse notes in a patient's medical record that nesiritide (Natrecor) has been ordered. Based on this order, the nurse interprets that the patient has which disorder?