Discharge instructions for a client prescribed digoxin would require follow-up if the client says which statement?

• A. I will avoid avocados, grapefruit and cantaloupe.
• B. I will increase potassium-rich foods.
• C. I will stop taking digoxin if I feel nauseated.
• D. I will take digoxin with a calcium supplement.

Answer: (A)

Understanding how digoxin interacts with foods and electrolytes is essential for safe discharge teaching. Grapefruit products can raise digoxin levels by affecting intestinal transport, increasing the risk of toxicity. Saying to avoid grapefruit is appropriate, but avocados and cantaloupe aren’t known to require avoidance with digoxin; they’re high in potassium, and while potassium balance matters for digoxin’s effects, there isn’t a standard instruction to restrict these potassium-rich foods. This statement would prompt follow-up to confirm accurate dietary guidance and clarify which foods truly interact with digoxin. Other listed statements reflect unsafe or ill-advised ideas (such as stopping the medication if nauseated or taking it with calcium) that would also need clinician guidance, but the key issue here is clarifying which foods actually require avoidance.