Question

The nurse assesses the patient before administering digoxin (Lanoxin), and withholds the drug and notifies the physician with what finding?

Select one:
a. Respiratory rate falls below 14
b. History reveals liver failure
c. Pulse is 44 beats/min
d. Blood pressure is 94/50 mm Hg

Answer 1

The nurse should withhold digoxin and notify the physician when the pulse is 44 beats/min, as this is significantly below the normal range and could indicate an excessive effect of the drug.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should withhold digoxin (Lanoxin) and notify the physician with the finding that the pulse is 44 beats/min. Digoxin is a medication used to treat heart conditions, including atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and sometimes heart failure that cannot be controlled by other medication. Bradycardia, a condition in which resting heart rate drops below 60 beats per minute (bpm), is a potential side effect of digoxin, and a pulse rate of 44 bpm is significantly below the normal range. It might indicate an excessive effect of the drug, which could lead to serious complications. Therefore, a pulse rate such as this warrants immediate medical attention.