What is important to monitor in a patient receiving digoxin?

Monitoring heart rate and signs of toxicity in a patient receiving digoxin is critical for several reasons. Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that increases the strength of the heart's contractions and also affects heart rate through its effects on the electrical conduction system of the heart.

It's essential to assess the heart rate because digoxin can lead to bradycardia, which is a dangerously slow heart rate. A heart rate below 60 beats per minute in adults is often a threshold for withholding the medication, as it increases the risk of adverse effects.

Additionally, recognizing signs of digoxin toxicity is vital because this medication has a narrow therapeutic window. Toxicity can manifest as gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting), neurological effects (confusion, visual disturbances), and cardiac irregularities (arrhythmias). Regular monitoring can help detect these issues early, allowing for prompt intervention and management to prevent severe complications.

In this context, while monitoring blood pressure or other parameters can be part of overall patient assessment, they do not specifically relate to the unique pharmacological effects and risks associated with digoxin therapy.