Digoxin is an example of?

Appeared in: SCTIMST Staff Nurse - 2015 (Set-B)

Explanation

Digoxin is classified as a cardiac glycoside, a group of drugs derived from the Digitalis plant.
Its primary mechanism involves inhibiting the Na+/K+-ATPase pump in cardiac cells, which increases intracellular calcium.
This increase in calcium leads to a stronger force of contraction (positive inotropy) and a slower heart rate (negative chronotropy).
It is primarily used to manage symptoms in heart failure and for rate control in atrial fibrillation.

Option A: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) act on the proton pumps in the stomach lining to reduce acid production.
Option B: Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) work by blocking calcium channels in the heart and blood vessels to lower blood pressure and control heart rate.
Option C: Beta blockers act by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors, thereby reducing the effects of adrenaline on the heart and blood vessels.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Pharmacology: Drug Classification as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A critical nursing responsibility is to check the apical pulse for one full minute before administering Digoxin. The medication is typically held if the heart rate is less than 60 bpm in an adult.
Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic range (approx. 0.5-2.0 ng/mL). Nurses must be vigilant in monitoring for signs of toxicity, such as nausea, vomiting, anorexia, visual disturbances (yellow/green halos), and arrhythmias.
Hypokalemia (low potassium) significantly increases the risk of Digoxin toxicity. Nurses should monitor serum potassium levels, especially in patients also taking diuretics.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the keyword in the question stem, which is 'Digoxin'.
Recognize that the question is asking for the pharmacological classification of this specific drug.
This is a factual recall question common in nursing pharmacology.
Mentally review the major classes of cardiovascular drugs and their prototype examples.
Recall that Digoxin is a well-known, classic drug used in heart failure and is the primary example of a cardiac glycoside.
Evaluate the other options to confirm they represent different drug classes with distinct mechanisms (PPIs for acid, CCBs and Beta Blockers for blood pressure/rate control via different pathways).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Qnlxe0KmLuXR9oRzWFBY58

E6 Pharmacology Katzung 16e pp. 335-337, 329-331

E6 Pharmacology KD Tripathi Essentials 9e Part 2 p. 187-189

Practise the full SCTIMST Staff Nurse - 2015 (Set-B)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.