A nurse on the cardiac unit notes increased frequency of premature ventricular contractions for a patient who was recently started on digitalis.Which of the following laboratory results would the nurse evaluate first?
A)Red blood cell count
B)LDH (lactate dehydrogenase)
C)Potassium
D)Total protein

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Digitalis can cause hypokalemia, which increases the risk of premature ventricular contractions. Therefore, the nurse should evaluate the patient's potassium level first. Red blood cell count, LDH, and total protein are not directly related to the risk of premature ventricular contractions in a patient on digitalis.

A Nurse on the Cardiac Unit Notes Increased Frequency of Premature