Question

Prior to administering a client's daily dose of digoxin, the nurse reviews the client's laboratory data and notes the following results: serum calcium, 9.8 mg/dL (2.45 mmol/L); serum magnesium, 1.0 mEq/L (0.5 mmol/L); serum potassium, 4.1 mEq/L (4.1 mmol/L); serum creatinine, 0.9 mg/dL (79.5 mcmol/L). Which result should alert the nurse that the client is at risk for digoxin toxicity?

1. Serum calcium level
2.Serum potassium level
3.Serum creatinine level
4.Serum magnesium level

Answer 1

The client's low serum magnesium level (1.0 mEq/L) should alert the nurse to the risk for digoxin toxicity, as hypomagnesemia can increase toxic effects of digoxin.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should be alerted by the serum magnesium level. A normal serum magnesium level is typically 1.7 to 2.2 mg/dL (0.85 to 1.10 mmol/L). The client's serum magnesium at 1.0 mEq/L (0.5 mmol/L) is low, indicating hypomagnesemia. Hypomagnesemia can increase the risk for digoxin toxicity, as magnesium is required for proper cardiovascular function and assists in stabilizing cells against the actions of digoxin. Therefore, the nurse should be cautious and potentially hold the medication and contact the physician for further directives due to the potential for digoxin toxicity.