A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for digoxin. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A reason: Muscle weakness is a sign of hypokalemia, which can predispose the client to digoxin toxicity. Educating the client to report muscle weakness ensures early detection of electrolyte imbalance and prevents complications such as arrhythmias. This teaching is directly related to digoxin safety and is essential for client self-monitoring. Choice B reason: Reporting weight gain is important in heart failure management, but the threshold is typically 2 pounds in a day or 5 pounds in a week, not one-half pound. A small daily fluctuation is normal and does not necessarily indicate fluid overload. Therefore, this teaching is inaccurate and could lead to unnecessary concern. Choice C reason: Digoxin does not increase blood pressure. Its primary effects are to increase myocardial contractility (positive inotrope) and slow conduction through the AV node (negative chronotrope). Teaching the client to expect increased blood pressure would be misleading and incorrect. Choice D reason: Not all clients prescribed digoxin require a diuretic. Diuretics may be used in heart failure to manage fluid overload, but they are not universally prescribed alongside digoxin. Furthermore, diuretics can increase the risk of hypokalemia, which complicates digoxin therapy. Therefore, this statement is inaccurate as a blanket teaching.