What should a nurse do if a client's heart rate is below 60/minute before administering digoxin?

Withholding digoxin when a client’s heart rate is below 60 beats per minute is an essential nursing intervention due to the pharmacological properties and the potential side effects of digoxin. Digoxin is primarily used to treat various heart conditions, including atrial fibrillation and heart failure. It works by improving the strength and efficiency of heart contractions while also affecting the heart rate.

A heart rate below 60 beats per minute can indicate bradycardia, which may lead to decreased blood flow and could potentially aggravate the patient’s condition if digoxin were administered. This medication has the propensity to further slow the heart rate, potentially leading to serious consequences such as heart block or other arrhythmias.

Nurses play a crucial role in monitoring the patient’s vital signs and are trained to follow specific protocols regarding digoxin administration. In practice, if the heart rate is below the threshold considered safe (typically 60 beats per minute), the standard procedure is to withhold the medication. This allows the healthcare provider time to assess the client’s overall condition, potential underlying causes for the low heart rate, and determine the appropriate next steps. Thus, withholding the medication is a crucial safety measure to prevent adverse events linked with digoxin therapy.