A patient about to receive a morning dose of digoxin has an apical pulse of 53 beats/min.What will the nurse do next?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A pulse rate below 60 beats/min is considered bradycardia, and the nurse should withhold the dose and notify the prescriber. Digoxin can cause further slowing of the heart rate, so it is important to check with the prescriber before administering the medication to avoid potential harm to the patient. Checking the radial pulse for 1 full minute is a step in the right direction, but it does not change the fact that the apical pulse is still below the normal range. Therefore, administering the dose without consulting the prescriber is not appropriate.

A Patient About to Receive a Morning Dose of Digoxin