Which dietary instruction accompanies digoxin therapy?

Which dietary instruction accompanies digoxin therapy?

• A. High potassium diet
• B. Low potassium diet
• C. High fat diet
• D. High sugar diet

Answer: (A)

Digoxin safety is tied to potassium balance. Digoxin works by inhibiting the Na+/K+-ATPase pump in heart cells, which raises intracellular calcium to improve contractility. Potassium and digoxin compete for the same binding site on that pump, so when potassium is too low, digoxin binds more readily and the risk of toxicity increases. Keeping potassium in the normal range helps prevent digoxin toxicity, especially for patients who may be losing potassium with diuretics. So the dietary instruction is to maintain a potassium-rich (normal-to-high potassium) diet, with foods like bananas, oranges, potatoes, and leafy greens. Avoid interpreting this as needing an excessively high potassium intake or ignoring other dietary factors; the goal is to prevent hypokalemia and keep levels within the normal range.