generic name

trade name

classification

 usual dosage range for route

dosage/route/frequency

why is this client receiving this medication?

how does this medication work?

what side effects are most likely to occur secondary to this medication?

• fatigue
• headache
• weakness
• blurred vision
• bradycardia (decrease BP)
• N&V
• diarrhea
• electrolyte imbalance

what actions do i as a nurse need to take specific to this medication? (including adverse reactions I need to be aware of)

• Monitor apical pulse for 1 full minute before administration
  
• Withold dose and notify MD if pulse rate is <60 bpm
• Monitor I&O
• Monitor BP
• Monitor Electrolytes (K, Mg, Ca)
• Withold if K low, Mg low, Ca high= digitalis toxicity
  

what do i as a nurse need to teach the client about this medication?

• drug name, purpose, dose, frequency
• notify MD s/s of toxcity, such as abdominal pain, anorexia, nausea, vomitting, visual disturbances, bradycardia and other arrhythmias
• notify MD s/s of CHF
  
• Instruct patient to take medication as directed, the same time each day. 
  
• Teach patient to take pulse and contact MD before taking med if pulse rate is <60 or >100
• Avoid taking antacids or antidiarrheals within 2 hr of digoxin
  

what other medications is the client taking that may interact with/alter the action of this medication?

• lasix- hypokalemia (decrease K)= toxcity
• lopressor- bradycardia
  

half life

onset, peak, and duration- PO

• onset= 30-120 minutes
• peak= 2-8 hours
• duration= 2-4 days

onset, duration, peak- IM

onset= 30 minutes

peak= 4-6 hours

duration= 2-4 days

onset, peak, duration- IV

• onset= 5-30minutes
• peak=1-4 hours
• duration= 2-4 days