A patient with heart failure is prescribed digoxin (Lanoxin).The patient reports nausea,blurry vision,and feeling like the heart is skipping beats.What is the nurse's best action?

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Nausea,blurry vision,and heart rate or rhythm changes are signs of digoxin overdose.The dose should be held and the prescriber notified.Most likely the nurse will also obtain a blood sample to measure the digoxin level.Digoxin has a very narrow therapeutic range (0.8 to 2 ng/mL)and this level should be checked whenever a patient shows any signs of toxicity.Symptoms usually resolve when the drug is held and the body eliminates it.

A Patient with Heart Failure Is Prescribed Digoxin (Lanoxin)