Question

A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin 0.125 mg PO. The client's apical heart rate is70 beats per minute, blood pressure is 125/75 mmHg, and respirations are 18 breaths per minute. Which action should the nurse implement next?

Administer the medication.
Inform the healthcare provider.
Review the vital sign flowsheet.
Reassess the apical heart rate.

Answer 1

The nurse should administer the medication as the patient's apical heart rate is within the normal range and blood pressure and respiration are stable. Subsequent actions include monitoring for drug effects and reassessing vitals as needed.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the management of a patient with heart failure who is prescribed digoxin. Given that the patient's apical heart rate is 70 beats per minute, which falls within the normal resting heart rate range of 60-100 bpm, and the patient's other vital signs are stable (blood pressure is 125/75 mmHg and respirations are 18 breaths per minute), the nurse's next action should be to administer the medication. It is important to monitor for signs of digoxin toxicity and other cardiac irregularities during treatment. Reviewing the vital sign flowsheet and reassessing the apical heart rate would be subsequent actions if there were concerns about the heart rate or if the patient's condition changed.