Admin Table of Contents
- 1 What lab value do you monitor with digoxin?
- 2 When should digoxin levels be checked?
- 3 What lab level indicates digoxin toxicity?
- 4 Which assessment is most important before administering digoxin?
- 5 What pulse rate would indicate digoxin must not be given?
- 6 When do you hold digoxin potassium?
- 7 What is digoxin used to treat?
- 8 What does digoxin test for?
What lab value do you monitor with digoxin?
What do the test results mean? If you’re receiving treatment for heart failure, the normal level of digoxin is between 0.5 and 0.9 nanograms of medication per milliliter of blood (ng/ml). If you’re being treated for a heart arrhythmia, the normal level of the drug is between 0.5 and 2.0 ng/mL.
When should digoxin levels be checked?
Timing of the digoxin blood test is important. The sample should be drawn at least 6-8 hours after the last dose. Many times, the blood sample will be drawn just before the next dose is to be taken.
What should I watch when taking digoxin?
Seek immediate medical advice if you experience nausea or vomiting, persistent diarrhea, confusion, weakness, or visual disturbances (including blurred vision, green-yellow color disturbances, halo effect) because these may be a sign that your digoxin levels are too high.
What lab level indicates digoxin toxicity?
Therapeutic levels of digoxin are 0.8-2.0 ng/mL. The toxic level is >2.4 ng/mL.
Which assessment is most important before administering digoxin?
A nurse should assess the apical pulse for a full minute before administering digoxin due to its positive inotropic action (it increases contractility, stroke volume, and, thus, cardiac output), negative chronotropic action (it decreases heart rate), and negative dromotropic action (it decreases electrical conduction …
What supplements should be avoided when taking digoxin?
People taking digoxin should therefore avoid taking potassium supplements, or eating large quantities of fruit (e.g., bananas), unless directed to do so by their doctor. On the other hand, many people taking digoxin are also taking a diuretic; in these individuals, increased intake of potassium may be needed.
What pulse rate would indicate digoxin must not be given?
If you have atrial fibrillation, the following symptoms may mean that you are not getting enough digoxin: Rapid pulse (more than 100 beats per minute).
When do you hold digoxin potassium?
Monitor apical pulse for 1 full min before administering. Withhold dose and notify health care professional if pulse rate is <60 bpm in an adult, <70 bpm in a child, or <90 bpm in an infant. Notify health care professional promptly of any significant changes in rate, rhythm, or quality of pulse.
How often to check digoxin level?
People taking digoxin should take 300mg magnesium daily . If you have chronic unexplained diarrhea, your magnesium level should be checked regularly. Unexplained lethargy and confusion are reasons to have your magnesium level checked. If you rely on a stomach tube for food, your magnesium should be checked every month .
What is digoxin used to treat?
Digoxin is used to treat heart failure, usually along with other medications. It is also used to treat certain types of irregular heartbeat (such as chronic atrial fibrillation).
What does digoxin test for?
A digoxin test checks how much digoxin you have in your blood. Digoxin is a type of medicine called a cardiac glycoside. It is used to treat certain heart problems. A blood sample is needed.
What type of drug is digoxin?
Digoxin belongs to a class of drugs called antiarrhythmics. It works by slowing your heart rate down and improving the way your ventricles are filled with blood. Your ventricles are two of the four chambers of your heart.