A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin 0.25 mg PO to a client who has heart failure and is at 35 weeks of gestation

A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin 0.25 mg PO to a client who has heart failure and is at 35 weeks of gestation. Available is digoxin 0.125 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

The correct answer and Explanation is :

To determine the number of digoxin tablets to administer, follow these steps:

1. Calculate the Total Dose Required:
   The order is for 0.25 mg of digoxin.
2. Determine the Dose per Tablet:
   Each tablet contains 0.125 mg of digoxin.
3. Calculate the Number of Tablets Needed:
   Use the formula:
   [
   \text{Number of Tablets} = \frac{\text{Desired Dose}}{\text{Dose per Tablet}}
   ]
   Substitute the values:
   [
   \text{Number of Tablets} = \frac{0.25 \text{ mg}}{0.125 \text{ mg/tablet}}
   ]
   [
   \text{Number of Tablets} = 2
   ]

Thus, the nurse should administer 2 tablets of digoxin.

Explanation:

Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside used in the management of heart failure and certain types of arrhythmias. Accurate dosing is crucial, especially in pregnant patients, to avoid potential adverse effects on both the mother and the fetus. Here’s a breakdown of the process:

1. Dose Calculation:
   The prescribed dose is 0.25 mg, and the available tablets are each 0.125 mg. To find out how many tablets are needed to reach the prescribed dose, divide the total dose required by the dose per tablet. This calculation ensures the correct amount of medication is administered.
2. Mathematical Approach:
   By dividing 0.25 mg by 0.125 mg per tablet, you obtain a quotient of 2. This means that two tablets are necessary to achieve the desired dose of 0.25 mg. It is essential to perform this division accurately to ensure the patient receives the correct dosage.
3. Rounding:
   In this case, the result is a whole number (2), so no rounding is needed. Always double-check calculations and ensure proper rounding practices to avoid medication errors.

Administration Considerations:
Given the client is pregnant (35 weeks of gestation), careful consideration is required to monitor for any potential side effects or interactions of digoxin with pregnancy. Regular fetal monitoring and adherence to dosing guidelines are vital to ensure both maternal and fetal safety.