Question

A nurse is assessing a client's vital signs prior to the administration of PO digoxin. The client's BP is 144/86 mm Hg, heart rate is 55/min, and respiratory rate is 20/min. The nurse should withhold the medication and contact the provider for which of the following findings?

Option 1:
a) Elevated BP

Option 2:
b) Increased Heart Rate

Option 3:
c) Respiratory Rate within normal range

Option 4:
d) Bradycardia

Answer 1

The nurse should withhold digoxin and contact the provider because of the patient's bradycardia, a condition where the heart rate is below the normal resting range of 60-100 bpm.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should withhold the medication and contact the provider due to the finding of bradycardia. For an adult, a normal resting heart rate (HR) will be in the range of 60-100 beats per minute (bpm). The client's heart rate of 55/min is considered bradycardia because it is below this normal range. While bradycardia can be asymptomatic and not clinically significant when the HR remains above 50 bpm, digoxin is a medication that can further lower the heart rate, potentially causing symptoms like dizziness, weakness, or fatigue if the HR becomes too low. Therefore, it is crucial to notify the provider before administering digoxin to a patient with bradycardia.