Question

You are ordered to give digoxin (Lanoxin). Your patient's vital signs are ____________. BP 130/70, Temp 97.9F, HR 52, RR 16, O2 Sat 100. What action should you take?

1) Administer the digoxin as ordered
2) Withhold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider
3) Increase the dose of digoxin
4) Decrease the dose of digoxin

Answer 1

Upon noticing the patient's low heart rate, which is a potential indication of bradycardia, the correct action would be to withhold the digoxin and inform the healthcare provider due to the risk of exacerbating the condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

The vital signs presented indicate that the patient's heart rate (HR) is 52 beats per minute, which is lower than the normal range (60-100 beats per minute). Digoxin is a medication that can further reduce the heart rate, and hence, under these circumstances, it would be prudent to withhold the digoxin and immediately notify the healthcare provider. Continuing to administer the drug could potentially exacerbate bradycardia (a slower-than-normal heart rate), an effect that needs to be carefully managed.

The vital signs of the patient are within normal range, except for the heart rate which is 52 beats per minute. The normal heart rate for an adult is 60-100 beats per minute. A heart rate of 52 beats per minute is considered bradycardia (abnormally slow heart rate). Since digoxin is a medication that can slow down the heart rate even further, this would be considered an adverse effect.