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?

HR
A. Blood pressure of 144/86 mm Hg
B. Heart rate of 55/min
C. Respiratory rate of 20/min
D. Heart rate of 120/min

Answer 1

The nurse should withhold medication and contact the provider due to the heart rate of 55/min since digoxin can cause bradycardia; the blood pressure and respiratory rate reported do not warrant withholding the medication.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should withhold the medication and contact the provider for the finding of a heart rate of 55/min. Digoxin is a medication used to treat various heart conditions, including atrial fibrillation and heart failure. However, one of its chief concerns is the potential to cause bradycardia, which is a heart rate that is too slow, generally considered to be below 60 beats per minute (bpm) in adults. While most patients remain asymptomatic with a heart rate above 50 bpm, the critical point is to monitor for symptoms that reflect inadequately oxygenated blood to body tissues, such as dizziness or weakness, which would necessitate halting the digoxin and contacting the healthcare provider. The blood pressure (144/86 mm Hg) and respiratory rate (20/min) are within acceptable ranges for digoxin administration.