When ordered to give Digoxin (lanoxin), what should the nurse do if the patient's heart rate is 52 bpm?

When a patient's heart rate is noted to be 52 beats per minute, which is considered bradycardic, the nurse's priority is to ensure the safety of the patient before administering Digoxin. Digoxin is a medication that can further decrease heart rate and is typically contraindicated or requires caution when given to patients with bradycardia.

Holding the Digoxin and calling the provider is the appropriate course of action. This allows for a reassessment of the situation and consideration of the potential need for an alternative treatment or further evaluation to determine the underlying cause of the bradycardia. It is critical to follow the protocol for medication administration, especially for drugs that have a significant impact on cardiac function, to prevent any adverse effects that could arise from administering the drug while the patient is experiencing low heart rates.

In this context, double-checking the prescription or assessing the patient for other symptoms, while potentially relevant actions, do not address the immediate concern of administering a medication that may worsen the patient's condition. Administering the medication without addressing the bradycardia could pose serious risks, underscoring the importance of prioritizing patient safety in nursing practice.