AEMCA Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $4.99 payment

Prepare for the AEMCA Exam with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Get exam-ready today!

Practice this question and more.

What would be considered a severe sign of digitalis toxicity?

Drowsiness
Bloating
Heart arrhythmia
Dry skin

The correct answer is: Heart arrhythmia

A severe sign of digitalis toxicity is heart arrhythmia. Digitalis, which is used to treat various heart conditions, can interfere with the electrical pathways of the heart, leading to significant and potentially life-threatening arrhythmias. These arrhythmias occur because digitalis affects the heart's contractility and can disrupt the normal rhythm, causing either bradycardia (slow heart rate) or other abnormal rhythms. Recognizing cardiac arrhythmias as a severe consequence of digitalis toxicity is crucial since they can lead to more severe complications, including heart failure or cardiac arrest if not managed promptly and appropriately. Monitoring for arrhythmias in patients taking digitalis is a critical component of safe practice in emergency care and cardiac management.