What should be monitored regularly if a patient is on digitalis?

When a patient is on digitalis, monitoring electrolyte balance is crucial, particularly the levels of potassium. Digitalis is a cardiac glycoside that enhances the force of heart contractions and helps control arrhythmias. However, it has a narrow therapeutic window and can lead to toxicity if serum electrolytes, especially potassium, become imbalanced. Both hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) and hypokalemia (low potassium levels) can significantly affect the drug's efficacy and safety.

If potassium levels are too low, the risk of digitalis toxicity increases, as the drug can lead to arrhythmias and other serious complications. Conversely, high potassium levels can decrease the effectiveness of digitalis. Therefore, regular monitoring of electrolyte balance is essential for safe and effective management of patients on digitalis therapy.

The other options, while relevant in different contexts, do not have the same direct impact on the safety of digitalis therapy. Visual acuity may be monitored due to potential side effects like visual disturbances, but it is not as critical as monitoring electrolytes. Temperature monitoring can be important for infection or other health issues but is not specifically linked to digitalis therapy. Lastly, liver enzyme levels may be assessed for overall liver function, especially if there are concerns