Health Promotion and Maintenance
6. A nurse would be most correct in withholding digoxin (Lanoxin) prescribed to an infant if the heart rate falls below which parameter?
Health Promotion and Maintenance
6. A nurse would be most correct in withholding digoxin (Lanoxin) prescribed to an infant if the heart rate falls below which parameter?
. Below 100 beats per minute.
. Below 120 beats per minute.
. Below 140 beats per minute.
. Below 160 beats per minute.
Test-Taking Tip
Recall that the minimum apical heart rate for an infant to receive digoxin (Lanoxin) is 90 to 110 bpm. The nurse would administer the medication if the infant's apical heart rate was 120, 140, or 160 bpm.
Content Area: Child Health, Cardiovascular; Integrated Process: Nursing Process, Assessment; Cognitive Level: Application; Client Need/Subneed: Physiological Integrity/Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies/Medication Administration
Health Promotion and Maintenance
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Answer 1 is correct because digoxin (Lanoxin) should be withheld if the heart rate of the infant falls below 90 to 110 beats per minute (bpm). If digoxin (Lanoxin) is given when the infant's heart rate is 100, the resulting cardiac output may not be adequate. Answer 2 is incorrect because the nurse would cautiously administer digoxin to an infant with an apical heart rate below 120 bpm if the infant's heart rate was at least 90 bpm. Answer 3 is incorrect because the nurse would administer the medication to an infant with an apical heart rate below 140 bpm if the infant's heart rate was at least 90 bpm. Answer 4 is incorrect because the nurse would administer the medication to an infant with an apical heart rate below 160 bpm if the infant's heart rate was at least 90 bpm.