Practice Question
A nurse is assessing an older adult client who is receiving digoxin. The nurse should recognize that which of the following findings is a manifestation of digoxin toxicity?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Anorexia
Rationale:
🟢 Anorexia (loss of appetite) is one of the earliest and most common manifestations of digoxin toxicity, especially in older adults.
🟢 It is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort, and may precede more serious cardiac dysrhythmias.
🟢 Recognizing subtle GI symptoms early is crucial because digoxin has a narrow therapeutic index, and toxicity can rapidly progress to life-threatening arrhythmias.
🟢 When anorexia appears in a client taking digoxin, the nurse should suspect elevated serum digoxin levels and anticipate holding the dose and notifying the provider for level assessment.
🟢 Early detection and intervention prevent progression to visual changes (yellow/green halos), confusion, and severe bradyarrhythmias.
Ataxia
🟢 Ataxia (impaired coordination) can occur in severe toxicity or CNS involvement, but it is less classic and less early than GI changes like anorexia.
🟢 In exam contexts, GI symptoms and visual disturbances are favored as hallmark early signs.
Photosensitivity
🟢 Photosensitivity is not a typical adverse effect of digoxin; it is associated with other medications such as tetracyclines or sulfonamides.
🟢 It does not specifically indicate digoxin toxicity.
Jaundice
🟢 Jaundice suggests liver dysfunction or hemolysis, not digoxin toxicity.
🟢 Digoxin primarily affects cardiac conduction and GI/CNS systems, not the hepatobiliary system.
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This question is from Custom RN Pharmacology-Fall 2025 Exam 4 which contains 60 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI Pharmacology
- Answer Choices: 4