Editing Pharmacology – LPN Practice Questions (section)

==Question 1==
The practical nurse is preparing to give digoxin 0.125 mg by mouth to an older adult. The apical pulse is 54 and regular. Which action should the nurse take?
# Give the dose and document the pulse
# Hold the dose and notify the registered nurse or provider
# Give half of the ordered dose
# Recheck the radial pulse and give the dose if it is above 60

'''Answer:''' 2 (B) Hold the dose and notify the registered nurse or provider.

''Rationale:'' Digoxin is held in an adult when the apical pulse is below 60 beats per minute, and the finding is reported. The apical pulse is counted for a full minute before every dose. Option 1 risks worsening bradycardia. Option 3 is outside nursing scope, since a nurse never alters a prescribed dose. Option 4 is incorrect because the apical pulse, not the radial pulse, is the required measurement and it may underestimate the true rate.