HealthStream Practice Test 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The ideal first response for a nurse administering digoxin is to verify the heart rate prior to administration. Digoxin is a medication commonly used to treat various heart conditions, including atrial fibrillation and heart failure. One of its key effects is to slow down the heart rate. Therefore, checking the heart rate before administering the medication is crucial to ensure that it is within the safe parameters for the patient.

If the heart rate is too low (bradycardia), administering digoxin could pose serious risks, including further decreasing the heart rate or leading to complications such as heart block. By verifying the heart rate, the nurse can make an informed decision on whether to proceed with the administration or to hold the medication and notify the physician if necessary.

Checking blood pressure is also important in a comprehensive assessment but is not the primary concern when preparing to administer digoxin. Asking for the patient’s permission is a good practice in general, fostering patient autonomy; however, in the case of digoxin, ensuring the heart rate is safe takes precedence. Administering the medication immediately neglects critical assessment steps that ensure patient safety. Thus, verifying the heart rate is the most appropriate and essential action prior to the administration of digoxin.