Heart Failure Patient on Digoxin and Lasix: What to Watch

Cardiac · Question from the ATI RN Medical-Surgical 2023 Proctored Exam study set

Correct answer: B. Hypokalemia

Why this is the answer

Lasix (Furosemide) causes the kidneys to waste potassium, and that dip in potassium significantly raises the risk of Digoxin toxicity, since low potassium makes cardiac cells more sensitive to digoxin's effects. Hypernatremia (A) isn't the paired risk nurses watch for with this combination. Hypercalcemia (C) isn't caused by either drug in this pairing. Hyponatremia (D) can occur with diuretics in general, but it isn't the specific, dangerous interaction this combination is known for — that distinction belongs to potassium.

The bigger concept

Digoxin and loop diuretics are frequently prescribed together in heart failure, which makes this drug interaction one of the most heavily tested combinations in medical-surgical nursing — low potassium doesn't just cause its own problems, it actively amplifies digoxin toxicity risk (nausea, visual changes, dangerous arrhythmias).

Related Cardiac practice questions

• What Pulsus Paradoxus Signals
• Protecting the Heart During Severe Hyperkalemia
• EKG Changes With a Potassium of 6.2 in Renal Failure
• EKG Findings With a Potassium of 2.8
• What Beck's Triad Diagnoses

Keep studying

← Back to the Medical-Surgical study guide hub · Practice all 70 questions free in the quiz engine