**Core Concept**
The question is actually related to **cardiology** and **pharmacology**, specifically the use of **digoxin**, a cardiac glycoside used to treat conditions like atrial fibrillation and heart failure. The maintenance dose of digoxin is crucial to avoid **toxicity** while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer, **0.25 mg/day**, is the typical maintenance dose for digoxin in patients with normal renal function. This dose is chosen to maintain a therapeutic serum concentration of digoxin, which inhibits the **Na+/K+-ATPase pump** in cardiac cells, leading to increased contractility of the heart. The dose may need to be adjusted based on renal function and serum digoxin levels to prevent toxicity.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option B:** 2.5 mg/day is incorrect because it is significantly higher than the usual maintenance dose and could lead to **digoxin toxicity**, characterized by nausea, vomiting, and cardiac arrhythmias.
**Option C:** 25 mg/day and **Option D:** 250 mg/day are both grossly excessive and would almost certainly result in severe, potentially life-threatening toxicity.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It's essential to monitor **renal function** and **serum digoxin levels** closely in patients on digoxin therapy, as decreased renal function can lead to accumulation of the drug and increased risk of toxicity.
**β Correct Answer: A. 0.25 mg/day**
Free Medical MCQs Β· NEET PG Β· USMLE Β· AIIMS
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