A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and a potassium level of 3 mEq/L (3.5 to 5 mEq/L). The nurse should obtain verification of which of the following prescriptions from the provider?

A. Digoxin 0.125 mg PO daily: Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity because low potassium enhances the drug’s effects on cardiac cells. Administering digoxin without correcting potassium levels can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias, so the nurse should verify this prescription with the provider before giving the medication. B. Strict intake and output: Monitoring fluid balance is appropriate for a client with heart failure but does not pose immediate safety risks related to potassium levels. This action is standard and does not require prescription verification. C. Cardiac monitoring: Continuous cardiac monitoring is a safe and appropriate nursing intervention for a client with heart failure and hypokalemia. It does not require verification from the provider and is essential for early detection of arrhythmias. D. Spironolactone 25 mg PO daily: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic and can help correct hypokalemia. Administering this medication is generally safe in this context and does not require additional verification related to the low potassium level.