What should a nurse advise about repeating a dose of digoxin if a child vomits?

When advising about repeating a dose of digoxin if a child vomits, it's important to consider the timing of the vomiting in relation to when the medication was administered. If the child vomits within one hour after taking digoxin, there is a possibility that the medication has not been fully absorbed into the bloodstream. In such cases, repeating the dose might be warranted to ensure the child receives the intended therapeutic effect of the medication.

Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside used to treat heart conditions, and maintaining appropriate drug levels is crucial for its efficacy and safety. Therefore, if a dose is vomited shortly after administration (within one hour), the nurse can advise that it is acceptable to repeat the dose, ideally after consulting with a healthcare provider for confirmation.

In contrast, vomiting that occurs more than one hour after administration likely indicates that the medication has already been absorbed, and repeating the dose could lead to toxicity. Thus, monitoring the situation and following up with a healthcare professional for further guidance in such instances is important.