Which symptoms should trigger a nurse to withhold digoxin?

Withholding digoxin in cases of heart block is essential because this medication increases the force of cardiac contractions but can also further reduce heart rate and disrupt the electrical conduction through the heart. Heart block indicates that there is already a disturbance in the heart's electrical signaling, which can be exacerbated by digoxin, leading to more severe bradycardia or even complete heart block. The presence of heart block represents a potential for significant complications, which is why it is crucial for a nurse to monitor cardiac status closely and withhold digoxin if such a condition is observed.

While weight loss, fatigue, and visual disturbances can occur in a patient taking digoxin, they do not necessarily indicate an immediate risk of harm from the medication itself. For example, fatigue may be a symptom of the heart condition being treated or could originate from other factors, and visual disturbances might relate to digoxin toxicity but not as directly indicative of a dangerous arrhythmia. Weight loss does not typically connect to digoxin use, making it less relevant in deciding whether to withhold the medication compared to heart block.