digoxin HIGH ALERT
Cardiac glycosideWhat it's for
HF symptoms, a-fib rate control
Nursing considerations
- Apical pulse a FULL minute before dose — hold per parameters (usually < 60)
- Toxicity: nausea, anorexia, visual halos/yellow tint, new arrhythmia — ask, don't wait for a level
- Low K makes normal-level dig toxic — check both
- Antidote: digoxin immune fab
Key side effects
📈 Watch
Apical HR, K+, dig level (0.5–2.0)
Source: Generic names only, per NCSBN convention. Primary sources: Lehne's Pharmacology for Nursing Care, 11th ed.; Davis's Drug Guide for Nurses. Educational reference — verify every medication decision against your facility's formulary, pharmacy, and the prescriber. Doses shown are typical adult references, not recommendations.Reference only — verify against your facility's policy.
