Final answer:
A nurse should withhold a dose of a beta blocker medication if the patient's heart rate falls below 60 beats per minute.
Step-by-step explanation:
When it comes to administering beta blocker medication, a nurse should withhold a dose if the patient's heart rate falls below a certain threshold. The specific heart rate at which a dose should be withheld may vary depending on the patient's condition and the specific beta blocker being used. However, a common guideline is to withhold the medication if the patient's heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute.
This is because beta blockers work by blocking beta-1 receptors, which slows down the heart rate. If the heart rate is already too slow (known as bradycardia), the addition of a beta blocker could further reduce the heart rate to a potentially dangerous level.
It is important for nurses to monitor the patient's heart rate closely and follow the guidelines provided by the healthcare provider or the medication's prescribing information to determine when a dose should be withheld.