When caring for a patient taking Digoxin, what vital sign is crucial to monitor?

When caring for a patient taking Digoxin, what vital sign is crucial to monitor?

• A. Blood pressure
• B. Respiratory rate
• C. Pulse rate
• D. Temperature

Answer: (C)

Monitoring the pulse rate is crucial for patients taking Digoxin due to the drug's effects on cardiac function. Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside used to treat conditions like heart failure and atrial fibrillation by increasing the force of heart contractions and controlling the heart rate. Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic window, meaning the difference between an effective dose and a toxic dose is small. One of the significant side effects of Digoxin is its ability to cause bradycardia, or a slowed heart rate. Therefore, close monitoring of the pulse rate allows healthcare providers to detect any reductions in heart rate that may signal accumulation of the drug in the system or adverse reactions. In contrast, while blood pressure, respiratory rate, and temperature are important vital signs, they are not as directly impacted by Digoxin as pulse rate is. Blood pressure may be influenced by various other factors or medications, and changes in respiratory rate or temperature could indicate other conditions unrelated to Digoxin therapy. Therefore, focusing on pulse rate is essential to ensure patient safety and efficacy of treatment.

Monitoring the pulse rate is crucial for patients taking Digoxin due to the drug's effects on cardiac function. Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside used to treat conditions like heart failure and atrial fibrillation by increasing the force of heart contractions and controlling the heart rate.

Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic window, meaning the difference between an effective dose and a toxic dose is small. One of the significant side effects of Digoxin is its ability to cause bradycardia, or a slowed heart rate. Therefore, close monitoring of the pulse rate allows healthcare providers to detect any reductions in heart rate that may signal accumulation of the drug in the system or adverse reactions.

In contrast, while blood pressure, respiratory rate, and temperature are important vital signs, they are not as directly impacted by Digoxin as pulse rate is. Blood pressure may be influenced by various other factors or medications, and changes in respiratory rate or temperature could indicate other conditions unrelated to Digoxin therapy. Therefore, focusing on pulse rate is essential to ensure patient safety and efficacy of treatment.