You are seeing a 69-year-old female patient complaining of fatigue and nausea. She has a history of heart failure and two previous myocardial infarctions. She reports having blurred vision with halos around objects. Her blood pressure is 144/88 mmHg, her pulse is 110 and irregular, and her ventilations are 16. What should you suspect is causing her symptoms?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The combination of symptoms including fatigue, nausea, blurred vision with halos around objects, irregular pulse, and a history of heart failure and myocardial infarctions suggest that the patient may have toxic blood levels of the medication digoxin, which is commonly used to treat heart failure. Digoxin toxicity can present with a variety of symptoms, including those listed above, and can be particularly dangerous in patients with a history of heart disease. The patient's elevated blood pressure and irregular pulse may also be consistent with digoxin toxicity.

You Are Seeing a 69-Year-Old Female Patient Complaining of Fatigue