What is an expected outcome of effective digoxin therapy?

An expected outcome of effective digoxin therapy is improved cardiac output. Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that enhances the force of heart muscle contractions (positive inotropic effect). This improvement in contractility allows the heart to pump blood more efficiently, resulting in an increase in cardiac output.

In patients with heart failure or certain arrhythmias, digoxin can help alleviate symptoms such as fatigue and dyspnea by facilitating better circulation and ensuring tissue perfusion. This contributes to an overall improvement in the patient's functional status and quality of life.

The other choices do not align with the primary goals of digoxin therapy. While decreased heart rate can occur and is sometimes desired in certain arrhythmias, it is not the main aim of treatment. Increased fluid retention is often a consequence of heart failure rather than a desired outcome of digoxin use. Decreased blood glucose levels are not a direct effect of digoxin, as it primarily focuses on cardiac mechanics rather than metabolic processes.