CARDIAC GLYCOSIDES PHARMACOLOGY
REVIEW 2025–2026: MOST TESTED DIGOXIN
QUESTIONS WITH EXPLANATIONS AND
HARVARD-STYLE REFERENCES
✅ 180+ HIGH-YIELD QUESTIONS BASED ON CLINICAL SCENARIOS AND EXAM-
STYLE FORMAT
✅ COVERS TOXICITY SIGNS, ANTIDOTES (DIGIBIND), AND IMPORTANT LAB
MONITORING (K+, Ca++, DIGOXIN LEVELS)
✅ DIGOXIN PHARMACOKINETICS AND PHARMACODYNAMICS (POSITIVE
INOTROPIC, NEGATIVE CHRONOTROPIC EFFECTS)
✅ INCLUDES MILRINONE AND INAMRINONE EFFECTS (ICU USE, INOTROPIC
SUPPORT)
✅ DESIGNED FOR NCLEX, PTCB, PHARM TECH, NURSING PHARMACOLOGY,
AND MEDICAL REVIEW COURSES
✅ INCLUDES RED FLAG INTERACTIONS (E.G., FUROSEMIDE, BRAN INTAKE,
HYPOKALEMIA)
A patient about to receive his morning dose of digoxin has an apical pulse of 70 beats per minute.
What will the nurse do?
A. Administer the dose.
B. Administer the dose and notify the physician.
C. Check the radial pulse for 1 full minute.
D. Withhold the dose and notify the - CORRECT ANSWER-A. Administer the dose.
In assessing a patient before administration of a cardiac glycoside, the nurse knows that what
condition can predispose a patient to digitalis toxicity?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypernatremia - CORRECT ANSWER-A. Hypokalemia; control ventricular response to atrial
fibrillation and a derived from foxglove. Digoxin is the only available cardiac glycoside---positive
inotropic---inhibits sodium potassium pump (adenosine tripphophatase) Sodium and calcium rise.
Cholinergic stimulation via the vagus nerve of Parasympathetic nervous system. ---Negative
chronotropic---Negative Dromotropic effect
,While assessing a patient who is receiving intravenous digitalis, the nurse recognizes that the drug
has a negative chronotropic effect. How would this drug effect be evident in the patient?
A. Increased heart rate
B. Decreased heart rate
C. Decreased conduction
D. Increased ectopic beats - CORRECT ANSWER-B. Decreased heart rate
A patient has been taking digoxin at home but has taken an accidental overdose and has developed
toxicity. He has been admitted to the telemetry unit where the physician has ordered digoxin
immune Fab (Digibind). The patient asks the nurse why the medication is ordered. What is the
nurse's best response?
A. "It works faster than digoxin."
B. "It is safer than digoxin and can be taken orally."
C. "It helps to convert the irregular heart rhythm to a more normal rhythm."
D. "This drug is an antidote to digoxin and will help to lower the blood levels." - CORRECT
ANSWER-D. "This drug is an antidote to digoxin and will help to lower the blood levels." (severe
bradycardia, advanced heart block, ventricularr tachycardia, fibrillation, and hyperkalemia); available
in parental form. Clinical signs and symptoms are monitored NOT serum levels----used for systolic
heart failure and atrial fibrillation.
5. A patient has been placed on a milrinone infusion as part of the therapy for end-stage heart
failure. What risks involved with this drug will the nurse keep in mind while assessing this patient
during the infusion?
A. Hypertension
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Nausea and vomiting
D. Cardiac dysrhythmias - CORRECT ANSWER-D. Cardiac dysrhythmias (contraindictated with
ventricular tachycardia, and fibrillation) used for treatment of atrial fibrillation. Available in Oral and
injection form.
6. A patient with atrial fibrillation was started on digoxin, and 1 week later a digoxin level was drawn.
Which result is within normal therapeutic levels for digoxin?
A. 0.4 ng/mL
B. 0.7 ng/mL
C. 2.1 ng/mL
,D. 2.6 ng/mL or higher - CORRECT ANSWER-B. 0.7 ng/mL (normal 0.5 to 2.0 ng/mL
7. When reviewing the list of medications taken by a patient who will be receiving a new prescription
for digoxin, the nurse would be concerned about which medication that may interact with the
digoxin?
A. aspirin
B. acetaminophen (Tylenol)
C. furosemide (Lasix)
D. vitamin K - CORRECT ANSWER-C. furosemide (Lasix); (loop Diuretics); numerous ones on
page 341
8. The nurse is reviewing discharge teaching for a patient who will be taking digoxin (Lanoxin)
therapy. The patient should be taught to avoid which foods when taking the digoxin?
A. Leafy green vegetables
B. Dairy products
C. Grapefruit juice
D. Bran muffins - CORRECT ANSWER-D. Bran muffins
9. In assessing a patient before administration of a cardiac glycoside, the nurse knows that which lab
result can increase the toxicity of the drug?
A. Potassium level 2.8 mEq/L
B. Potassium level 4.9 mEq/L
C. Sodium level 140 mEq/L
D. Calcium level 10 mg/dL - CORRECT ANSWER-A. Potassium level 2.8 mEq/L (low potassium
normal is 3.5 to 5.0)
10. The nurse administering the phosphodiesterase inhibitor inamrinone recognizes that this drug
should have a positive inotropic effect. This effect will result in increased
A. heart rate.
B. blood vessel dilation.
C. force of cardiac contraction.
D. conduction of electrical impulses across the heart. - CORRECT ANSWER-C. force of cardiac
contraction. (increase cAMP) positive inotropic (by more calcium available in SR)effect and
, vasodilation, (inodilators)---positive chornotropic effect); USED IN ICU; ADVERSE
EFFECT...thrombocytopenia, dysrhythmia, ventricular, hypotension and angina, hypokalemia,
tremor.
11. The nurse notes in a patient's medical record that nesiritide has been ordered. Based on this
order, the nurse interprets that the patient has which disorder?
A. Atrial fibrillation
B. Acutely decompensated heart failure with dyspnea at rest
C. Systolic heart failure
D. Long-term treatment of heart failure. - CORRECT ANSWER-B. Acutely decompensated heart
failure with dyspnea at rest
SELECT ALL THAT APPLY:
1. When a patient is experiencing digoxin toxicity, which clinical situation would necessitate the use
of digoxin immune Fab (Digibind)? Select all that apply.
A. The patient reports seeing colorful halos around lights.
B. The patient's serum potassium level is above 5 mEq/L.
C. The patient is experiencing nausea and anorexia.
D. The patient is experiencing severe sinus bradycardia that does not respond to cardiac pacing.
E. The patient has taken an overdose of greater than 10 mg of digoxin. - CORRECT ANSWER-B.
The patient's serum potassium level is above 5 mEq/L.
D. The patient is experiencing severe sinus bradycardia that does not respond to cardiac pacing. (E)
might be right as well a person taking 10mg of digoxin is a indication of toxicity...page 340 states life
threatening digoxin overdose in adults and 4 mg in children)
2. Which drug classes are considered first-line treatment for heart failure? Select all that apply.
A. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
B. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
C. Digoxin (cardiac glycoside)
D. Beta-blockers
E. Nesiritide (Natrecor), the B-type natriuretic peptide - CORRECT ANSWER-ACE
REVIEW 2025–2026: MOST TESTED DIGOXIN
QUESTIONS WITH EXPLANATIONS AND
HARVARD-STYLE REFERENCES
✅ 180+ HIGH-YIELD QUESTIONS BASED ON CLINICAL SCENARIOS AND EXAM-
STYLE FORMAT
✅ COVERS TOXICITY SIGNS, ANTIDOTES (DIGIBIND), AND IMPORTANT LAB
MONITORING (K+, Ca++, DIGOXIN LEVELS)
✅ DIGOXIN PHARMACOKINETICS AND PHARMACODYNAMICS (POSITIVE
INOTROPIC, NEGATIVE CHRONOTROPIC EFFECTS)
✅ INCLUDES MILRINONE AND INAMRINONE EFFECTS (ICU USE, INOTROPIC
SUPPORT)
✅ DESIGNED FOR NCLEX, PTCB, PHARM TECH, NURSING PHARMACOLOGY,
AND MEDICAL REVIEW COURSES
✅ INCLUDES RED FLAG INTERACTIONS (E.G., FUROSEMIDE, BRAN INTAKE,
HYPOKALEMIA)
A patient about to receive his morning dose of digoxin has an apical pulse of 70 beats per minute.
What will the nurse do?
A. Administer the dose.
B. Administer the dose and notify the physician.
C. Check the radial pulse for 1 full minute.
D. Withhold the dose and notify the - CORRECT ANSWER-A. Administer the dose.
In assessing a patient before administration of a cardiac glycoside, the nurse knows that what
condition can predispose a patient to digitalis toxicity?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypernatremia - CORRECT ANSWER-A. Hypokalemia; control ventricular response to atrial
fibrillation and a derived from foxglove. Digoxin is the only available cardiac glycoside---positive
inotropic---inhibits sodium potassium pump (adenosine tripphophatase) Sodium and calcium rise.
Cholinergic stimulation via the vagus nerve of Parasympathetic nervous system. ---Negative
chronotropic---Negative Dromotropic effect
,While assessing a patient who is receiving intravenous digitalis, the nurse recognizes that the drug
has a negative chronotropic effect. How would this drug effect be evident in the patient?
A. Increased heart rate
B. Decreased heart rate
C. Decreased conduction
D. Increased ectopic beats - CORRECT ANSWER-B. Decreased heart rate
A patient has been taking digoxin at home but has taken an accidental overdose and has developed
toxicity. He has been admitted to the telemetry unit where the physician has ordered digoxin
immune Fab (Digibind). The patient asks the nurse why the medication is ordered. What is the
nurse's best response?
A. "It works faster than digoxin."
B. "It is safer than digoxin and can be taken orally."
C. "It helps to convert the irregular heart rhythm to a more normal rhythm."
D. "This drug is an antidote to digoxin and will help to lower the blood levels." - CORRECT
ANSWER-D. "This drug is an antidote to digoxin and will help to lower the blood levels." (severe
bradycardia, advanced heart block, ventricularr tachycardia, fibrillation, and hyperkalemia); available
in parental form. Clinical signs and symptoms are monitored NOT serum levels----used for systolic
heart failure and atrial fibrillation.
5. A patient has been placed on a milrinone infusion as part of the therapy for end-stage heart
failure. What risks involved with this drug will the nurse keep in mind while assessing this patient
during the infusion?
A. Hypertension
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Nausea and vomiting
D. Cardiac dysrhythmias - CORRECT ANSWER-D. Cardiac dysrhythmias (contraindictated with
ventricular tachycardia, and fibrillation) used for treatment of atrial fibrillation. Available in Oral and
injection form.
6. A patient with atrial fibrillation was started on digoxin, and 1 week later a digoxin level was drawn.
Which result is within normal therapeutic levels for digoxin?
A. 0.4 ng/mL
B. 0.7 ng/mL
C. 2.1 ng/mL
,D. 2.6 ng/mL or higher - CORRECT ANSWER-B. 0.7 ng/mL (normal 0.5 to 2.0 ng/mL
7. When reviewing the list of medications taken by a patient who will be receiving a new prescription
for digoxin, the nurse would be concerned about which medication that may interact with the
digoxin?
A. aspirin
B. acetaminophen (Tylenol)
C. furosemide (Lasix)
D. vitamin K - CORRECT ANSWER-C. furosemide (Lasix); (loop Diuretics); numerous ones on
page 341
8. The nurse is reviewing discharge teaching for a patient who will be taking digoxin (Lanoxin)
therapy. The patient should be taught to avoid which foods when taking the digoxin?
A. Leafy green vegetables
B. Dairy products
C. Grapefruit juice
D. Bran muffins - CORRECT ANSWER-D. Bran muffins
9. In assessing a patient before administration of a cardiac glycoside, the nurse knows that which lab
result can increase the toxicity of the drug?
A. Potassium level 2.8 mEq/L
B. Potassium level 4.9 mEq/L
C. Sodium level 140 mEq/L
D. Calcium level 10 mg/dL - CORRECT ANSWER-A. Potassium level 2.8 mEq/L (low potassium
normal is 3.5 to 5.0)
10. The nurse administering the phosphodiesterase inhibitor inamrinone recognizes that this drug
should have a positive inotropic effect. This effect will result in increased
A. heart rate.
B. blood vessel dilation.
C. force of cardiac contraction.
D. conduction of electrical impulses across the heart. - CORRECT ANSWER-C. force of cardiac
contraction. (increase cAMP) positive inotropic (by more calcium available in SR)effect and
, vasodilation, (inodilators)---positive chornotropic effect); USED IN ICU; ADVERSE
EFFECT...thrombocytopenia, dysrhythmia, ventricular, hypotension and angina, hypokalemia,
tremor.
11. The nurse notes in a patient's medical record that nesiritide has been ordered. Based on this
order, the nurse interprets that the patient has which disorder?
A. Atrial fibrillation
B. Acutely decompensated heart failure with dyspnea at rest
C. Systolic heart failure
D. Long-term treatment of heart failure. - CORRECT ANSWER-B. Acutely decompensated heart
failure with dyspnea at rest
SELECT ALL THAT APPLY:
1. When a patient is experiencing digoxin toxicity, which clinical situation would necessitate the use
of digoxin immune Fab (Digibind)? Select all that apply.
A. The patient reports seeing colorful halos around lights.
B. The patient's serum potassium level is above 5 mEq/L.
C. The patient is experiencing nausea and anorexia.
D. The patient is experiencing severe sinus bradycardia that does not respond to cardiac pacing.
E. The patient has taken an overdose of greater than 10 mg of digoxin. - CORRECT ANSWER-B.
The patient's serum potassium level is above 5 mEq/L.
D. The patient is experiencing severe sinus bradycardia that does not respond to cardiac pacing. (E)
might be right as well a person taking 10mg of digoxin is a indication of toxicity...page 340 states life
threatening digoxin overdose in adults and 4 mg in children)
2. Which drug classes are considered first-line treatment for heart failure? Select all that apply.
A. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
B. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
C. Digoxin (cardiac glycoside)
D. Beta-blockers
E. Nesiritide (Natrecor), the B-type natriuretic peptide - CORRECT ANSWER-ACE
