👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team🕐 Updated 2026-08-23🏷️ Pharmacological Therapies🔖 Free to read, print, and share
Also known as: dig toxicity · digitalis toxicity · lanoxin toxicity
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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Digoxin Toxicity on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!
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📒 The 1-minute cheat sheet
🩺 Signs
Anorexia, N/V early signs
Yellow-green halos vision
Bradycardia, arrhythmias
📌 Hold
Apical HR < 60 → hold dose
Count apical pulse full 1 min
📌 Risk
↓ K+ ↑ toxicity risk
Hypomagnesemia, hypercalcemia
Renal impairment → drug builds
🧪 Meds
Digoxin immune Fab = antidote
Therapeutic 0.5–2.0 ng/mL
📚 Digoxin Toxicity — full study notes
The cheat sheet above is your quick recall card. These notes go deeper — what it is, what to do first, what must be reported, and what to teach.
Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that strengthens contraction and slows heart rate; its therapeutic range is narrow (0.5–2 ng/mL), so toxicity is common. Hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, and renal impairment all increase toxicity risk because low potassium potentiates the drug.
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Key points
Understand these first
Early signs: anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue
Visual disturbances — blurred or yellow-green halos around lights are classic
Cardiac: bradycardia and new dysrhythmias
Hold the dose and assess if apical pulse is below 60 bpm in an adult
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Nursing priorities
What to do, in order
Check apical heart rate for a full minute before every dose — hold if < 60 (adult)
Monitor digoxin level (0.5–2 ng/mL) and potassium — correct hypokalemia
For severe toxicity, anticipate digoxin immune Fab (Digibind)
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Red flags — report now
Escalate immediately
Apical pulse < 60, visual changes, or dig level > 2 ng/mL — hold dose and notify provider
Take your pulse before each dose; report rate < 60, nausea, or yellow-tinged vision
Do not double up on missed doses; eat potassium-rich foods
❓ Digoxin Toxicity: NCLEX FAQs
What are the priority nursing interventions for Digoxin Toxicity?
Check apical heart rate for a full minute before every dose — hold if < 60 (adult). Monitor digoxin level (0.5–2 ng/mL) and potassium — correct hypokalemia. For severe toxicity, anticipate digoxin immune Fab (Digibind).
What are the warning signs of Digoxin Toxicity a nurse must report?
Apical pulse < 60, visual changes, or dig level > 2 ng/mL — hold dose and notify provider. Hypokalemia sharply raises toxicity risk — watch K⁺ closely with diuretics.
What do I need to know about Digoxin Toxicity for the NCLEX?
Early signs: anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Visual disturbances — blurred or yellow-green halos around lights are classic. Cardiac: bradycardia and new dysrhythmias. Hold the dose and assess if apical pulse is below 60 bpm in an adult.
What patient teaching is important for Digoxin Toxicity?
Take your pulse before each dose; report rate < 60, nausea, or yellow-tinged vision. Do not double up on missed doses; eat potassium-rich foods.
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Quick Tip
Early signs: anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.