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    Pharmacology exam proctored exam

    A client arrives to the emergency department with dizziness, blurred vision with greenish halos, constipation and fatigue. The client's partner states that that client has been "a little off - kinda confused" this morning. Vital signs: Temp 98.8, HR 44, RR 26. BP 112/68 SpO2 97% on room air. Medical history: obesity, hypothyroidism, heart failure, hypercholesterolemia. Medication reconciliation shows: Furosemide 40 mg daily, levothyroxine 25 mcg daily, digoxin 0.5 mg, simvastatin 40 mg. Based on the above information the nurse suspects that the patient has:

    Explanation & Rationale

    A. Hypothyroidism: While the client has a history of hypothyroidism, the clinical presentation of visual disturbances and profound bradycardia is not typical of a thyroid deficit. Low thyroid hormone levels usually present with weight gain, cold intolerance, and dry skin rather than greenish halos. The dose of 25 mcg is a standard replacement and does not explain the acute confusion or visual changes. B. Digoxin toxicity: The combination of bradycardia with a heart rate of 44, greenish-yellow visual halos, and new-onset confusion are classic signs of digitalis overdose. Furosemide use often leads to hypokalemia, which significantly sensitizes the myocardium to the toxic effects of digoxin. A dose of 0.5 mg is also relatively high, increasing the risk of systemic accumulation and toxic side effects. C. Glaucoma: This ocular condition causes increased intraocular pressure and can lead to vision loss or seeing halos around lights. However, glaucoma does not cause systemic symptoms like profound bradycardia, confusion, or gastrointestinal disturbances such as constipation. The visual symptoms in this case are a secondary manifestation of a systemic pharmacological toxicity rather than a primary eye disease. D. Unstable angina: Unstable angina presents with crescendo chest pain at rest and is often associated with EKG changes or hemodynamic instability. It does not typically manifest with bradycardia, constipation, or the characteristic visual disturbances described in the stem. The client's symptoms point toward a metabolic or drug-induced etiology rather than acute coronary artery narrowing.

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