The nurse is caring for a client who is receiving digoxin (Lanoxin) once a day to slow the heart rate. What type of focused assessment should the nurse complete before administering the medication?
1. Assessing mental status
2. Assessing limb movement
3. Assessing an apical heart rate
4. Assessing pain intensity
Answer: 3
1. Mental status is a focused assessment but not relevant to heart medication.
2. Limb movement is unrelated to heart medication.
3. Since the medication slows the heart, the nurse assesses the heart rate before administering the medication and withholds the drug if the heart rate is too slow.
4. Pain intensity is not related to this medication.
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