A 70-year-old patient who has been taking digoxin (Lanoxin)for 4 years has all of the following laboratory blood tests.For which test value should you notify the prescriber immediately?

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Although all of these values are abnormal,only the potassium level is dangerously out of the normal range (it is low,indicating hypokalemia;normal is 3.5 to 5 mEq/L).Abnormal potassium levels change the effectiveness of digoxin.In the case of hypokalemia,the sensitivity of the cardiac muscle membrane is increased to the effects of digoxin.This means that the risk for toxicity is greatly increased.The prescriber will probably order a digoxin level and lower the dosage of the drug.The patient is also at risk for cardiac rhythm changes.

A 70-Year-Old Patient Who Has Been Taking Digoxin (Lanoxin)for 4