A nurse is preparing to administer a dose of digoxin to a client with a history of congestive heart failure. Prior to administering the medication, which nursing actions should the nurse prioritize to ensure safe administration?
Assess the client’s apical pulse for 1 full minute and withhold the medication if the pulse is below 60 beats per minute.
Assess the client’s oxygen saturation level and delay administration if it is below 92%.
Monitor the client’s recent respiratory rate and withhold the medication if it is below 12 breaths per minute.
Recheck the client’s blood pressure and withhold the medication if the systolic pressure is below 90 mmHg.
Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that affects the heart's contractility and can cause serious complications, such as bradycardia, if the client's heart rate is too slow. The nurse should assess the client's apical pulse for 1 full minute prior to administration. Withholding the medication if the pulse is below the defined threshold helps prevent potential toxicity. Monitoring for laboratory levels such as potassium and digoxin levels is also important, as electrolyte imbalances or elevated digoxin levels increase the risk of toxicity. Incorrect answers involve actions that may be routine but are not specific priorities for ensuring safe administration of digoxin.
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