Which assessment is critical before administering digoxin to a patient?

Before administering digoxin, assessing the heart rate is critical because digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that primarily affects the heart. The medication is used to treat heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation and heart failure. One of its serious side effects is the risk of bradycardia, which is an abnormally slow heart rate.

If the heart rate is below a certain threshold, usually less than 60 beats per minute for adults, it is essential to hold the medication and consult with a healthcare provider. This precaution helps prevent potential complications that may arise from administering digoxin when the heart is already compromised. Regular monitoring of the heart rate is vital in managing and ensuring the safe administration of digoxin, making it a critical assessment prior to giving the drug.

While monitoring blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and respiratory rate are important in various clinical situations, they do not have the same immediate and direct implications for the safe administration of digoxin as heart rate does.