Question

Before administering Digoxin, the nurse should complete which task? A. Obtain an ECG

B. Count apical Pulse for 1 minute C. Take temperature
D. Obtain I/O

Answer 1

A nurse must count the apical pulse for 1 minute before administering Digoxin to assess the baseline heart rate and ensure medication safety.

Step-by-step explanation:

Before administering Digoxin, the nurse should complete the task of counting the apical pulse for 1 minute. This is essential because Digoxin affects the heart's contraction strength and rhythm. By assessing the apical pulse, the nurse can establish a baseline heart rate and rhythm to ensure it is safe to give the medication. This avoids potential complications, such as Digoxin toxicity, which may occur if the drug is given when the heart rate is too low.