DRUG STUDY

ROUTE, DOSAGE MECHANISM OF NURSING

NAME OF DRUG INDICATION CONTRAINDICATION SIDE EFFECTS
AND FREQUENCY ACTION CONSIDERATIONS
Generic Name: Heart Failure: Heart Failure: Treatment of Heart Contraindications: Possible Side  Observe the patient’s 10 rights
Digoxin PO: Adults, Elderly: Inhibits sodium/ Failure. Control Hypersensitivity to effects: of medication administration
0.125–0.25 mg once potassium ATPase ventricular response digoxin. Ventricular  Dizziness
Brand Name: daily pump in myocardial rate in patient with fibrillation.  Headache Baseline Assessment:
Lanoxin cells. Promotes chronic atrial  Diarrhea  Assess apical pulse. If pulse is
calcium influx. fibrillation. Cautions: Renal  Rash 60 or less/min (70 or less/min
Classification: impairment, sinus nodal  Visual for children), withhold drug,
Therapeutic: Therapeutic Effect: Off-Label: disease, acute MI (within disturbances contact physician.
Antiarrhythmic, Heart Failure: Tachycardia; decrease 6 months), second- or  Blood samples are best taken
cardiotonic Increases ventricular rate in third-degree heart block Adverse effect: 6–8 hours after dose or just
contractility. supraventricular (unless functioning Digoxin toxicity before next dose.
Pharmacologic: Increases effective tachyarrhythmias. pacemaker), concurrent (Most common early
Cardiac glycoside refractory use of strong inducers or manifestations): Intervention:
period/decreases inhibitors of P-  GI disturbances:  Monitor pulse for bradycardia,
conduction velocity, glycoprotein (e.g., anorexia, nausea, EKG for arrhythmias for 1–2
decreases heart rate. cyclosporine), vomiting hours after administration
hyperthyroidism, (excessive slowing of pulse
 Neurologic
hypothyroidism, may be first clinical sign of
abnormalities:
hypokalemia, toxicity).
fatigue, headache,
hypocalcemia.  Assess for GI disturbances,
depression,
weakness, neurologic abnormalities (signs
drowsiness, of toxicity) q2–4h during
confusion, loading dose (daily during
nightmares) maintenance).
 Monitor serum potassium,
magnesium, calcium, renal
function.
 Therapeutic serum level: 0.8–2
ng/mL
 Toxic serum level: greater than
2 ng/mL

Patient/Family Teaching:
  Follow-up visits, blood tests
are an important part of
therapy.
 Follow guidelines to take
apical pulse and report pulse
of 60 or less/min (or as
indicated by physician).
 Do not increase or skip doses.
 Do not take OTC medications
without consulting physician.
 Report decreased appetite,
nausea/vomiting, diarrhea,
visual changes.

References:
Kizior, R. J. & Hodgson, K. J. (2019). Saunders Nursing Drug Handbook 2019. Elsevier Inc.