Pharmacology
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What this topic is really about
The nurse should assess the apical pulse for 1 full minute before administering digoxin to ensure cardiac safety.. Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that slows the heart rate, so the nurse must assess the apical pulse for one full minute to ensure it is safe to administer.
Furosemide commonly causes hypokalemia due to increased potassium excretion.. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that inhibits sodium and chloride reabsorption, causing increased excretion of potassium along with water, which can lead to hypokalemia.
See the mechanism
Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that slows the heart rate, and assessing the apical pulse helps to identify any potential cardiac issues. A diagram for this topic isn't available yet — the worked example below walks the same reasoning step by step.
An exam-style question, fully explained
Before administering digoxin, the nurse should assess:
- Identify what the question tests: Before administering digoxin, the nurse should assess:.
- Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that slows the heart rate, so the nurse must assess the apical pulse for one full minute to ensure it is safe to administer.
- Assessing respiratory rate (Option A) is incorrect because it is not the primary indicator of digitalis toxicity or cardiac safety.
- Why it matters: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that slows the heart rate, and assessing the apical pulse helps to identify any potential cardiac issues. This assessment is crucial to prevent digitalis toxicity. The nurse must take the apical pulse for a full minute to get an accurate measurement.
Traps the examiner sets
- Many people mistakenly believe that assessing respiratory rate or other vital signs is sufficient before administering digoxin, but the apical pulse is the most critical indicator of cardiac safety.
- Some may mistakenly believe iron or vitamin C can interact with warfarin, but they do not directly affect its mechanism.
- Students often confuse loop diuretics with potassium‑sparing agents and may incorrectly select hyperkalemia or other electrolyte disturbances such as hypercalcemia or hypernatremia.
- Many people incorrectly believe that insulin should be stored in the freezer to prolong its shelf life, or that it can be stored at room temperature before opening, which can lead to a loss of potency or effectiveness.
- Assessing respiratory rate (Option A) is incorrect because it is not the primary indicator of digitalis toxicity or cardiac safety.
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