 Keyphrase: Digoxin
Digoxin in Nursing: What Every Student Should Know
Digoxin is a powerful cardiac glycoside widely used in treating heart failure and atrial fibrillation. As a nurse, understanding this drug is essential due to its narrow therapeutic range and potential for toxicity.
Get a Well-Crafted Paper at WritersProHub
Need help with drug cards, care plans, or medication administration notes? WritersProHub offers custom-written nursing assignments that help you understand and apply pharmacology concepts like Digoxin safely and correctly.
🎓 Order your nursing assignment today at WritersProHub.com
What is Digoxin?
Digoxin (Lanoxin) is a positive inotrope and negative chronotrope. It strengthens heart contractions and slows the heart rate, making it especially helpful for patients with heart failure or atrial fibrillation.
Mechanism of Action
Digoxin works by inhibiting the sodium-potassium ATPase pump in cardiac cells. This increases intracellular calcium, which enhances cardiac contractility. At the same time, it slows AV node conduction, reducing heart rate.
Nursing Indications
- Heart failure (especially with reduced ejection fraction)
- Atrial fibrillation (to control ventricular rate)
- Atrial flutter (off-label)
Digoxin Dosage & Route
- Adult oral dose (initial): 0.125–0.25 mg daily
- IV dose: May start at 0.25 mg with titration
- Pediatric: Dose depends on weight and age
Always check renal function and age when calculating dosages. Elderly patients and those with kidney impairment are at higher risk of toxicity.
Key Nursing Responsibilities
- Check apical pulse for 1 full minute before administering.
- Hold if HR < 60 bpm in adults or per provider’s parameters.
- Monitor serum digoxin level:
- Therapeutic range: 0.5–2.0 ng/mL
- Monitor potassium levels:
- Hypokalemia increases digoxin toxicity risk
- Assess for signs of toxicity (see below)
- Educate patients to take the drug at the same time each day
Signs of Digoxin Toxicity
- Visual changes (e.g., yellow or green halos around lights)
- Nausea, vomiting, or anorexia
- Bradycardia or arrhythmias
- Confusion or weakness
If toxicity is suspected, notify the provider. In severe cases, Digibind (digoxin immune Fab) may be administered as an antidote.
NCLEX Practice Question
Q: Before administering digoxin to a patient, the nurse checks the apical pulse and finds it to be 54 bpm. What is the best action?
A. Give the dose and monitor vitals
B. Give half the dose and notify the provider
C. Hold the dose and notify the provider
D. Document and recheck in 30 minutes
✅ Correct Answer: C – Heart rate below 60 bpm is a contraindication for digoxin administration.
Patient Teaching for Digoxin
- Take as prescribed and do not double doses
- Monitor pulse daily; notify provider if HR is <60 or >100 bpm
- Watch for symptoms of toxicity and report immediately
- Keep follow-up appointments for lab monitoring
Simplify Pharmacology with WritersProHub
Studying cardiac medications can be overwhelming. Let us help you master digoxin and other high-alert drugs with:
- Detailed drug cards
- Nursing care plans
- Case study analysis
- Pharmacology concept maps
- NCLEX-style practice questions
📘 Visit WritersProHub.com for personalized support on all your nursing pharmacology assignments.