What should be monitored in a patient receiving digoxin?

In patients receiving digoxin, monitoring heart rate and rhythm is crucial. Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that increases the force of myocardial contraction and can also affect heart rate. It is known to be used primarily for the management of heart failure and certain arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation.

Monitoring heart rate is essential because digoxin can lead to various arrhythmias, especially if the drug accumulates in the body, which can occur due to factors such as renal impairment. A heart rate that is too low (bradycardia) may indicate toxicity or an adverse effect, necessitating an immediate assessment and potential intervention. Additionally, assessing heart rhythm will help identify any arrhythmias that may develop during treatment, allowing for timely management.

While renal function is also important to monitor in a patient on digoxin, particularly due to the drug's renal elimination pathway and risk of toxicity with impaired renal function, the immediate priority in terms of drug action and potential adverse effects lies in evaluating the heart rate and rhythm. Monitoring blood sugar levels and complete blood counts is not directly related to digoxin therapy and is therefore less critical in this context.