What is a key sign the nurse should monitor for when a patient is taking digoxin and furosemide?

Monitoring for nausea and halos around lights is essential when a patient is taking digoxin and furosemide because these symptoms can indicate digitalis toxicity. Digoxin is a medication that increases the strength of heart contractions and is commonly used in patients with heart failure or certain arrhythmias. One of the earliest signs of digoxin toxicity is gastrointestinal distress, which includes nausea.

Halos around lights, a visual disturbance, can also be a critical sign of digoxin toxicity, pointing to potential issues with the drug's effects on the heart and nervous system. It's important for nurses to assess these symptoms frequently, as timely recognition of digoxin toxicity can prevent serious complications, such as cardiac arrhythmias, which may arise from elevated serum digoxin levels.

By paying close attention to these specific signs, the nurse can ensure proper management of the patient's medications, leading to more effective treatment and prevention of adverse events associated with digoxin therapy.