Before giving digoxin, what should be assessed to ensure patient safety?

When administering digoxin, assessing the apical pulse is crucial for patient safety. Digoxin works by affecting the heart's electrical conduction system and can impact heart rate. Before giving the medication, it is essential to check the apical pulse to determine if it is within the acceptable range, usually above 60 beats per minute for adults. If the heart rate is too low (bradycardia), administering digoxin could lead to serious complications such as further decreased heart rate or even heart block.

Other assessments like blood glucose, respiration rate, and oxygen saturation do have their importance in patient evaluation but are not directly related to the immediate safety concerns of digoxin administration. Blood glucose levels primarily relate to diabetic management, while respiration rate and oxygen saturation are more pertinent when assessing respiratory function rather than cardiac function, which is specifically influenced by digoxin. Therefore, monitoring the apical pulse directly addresses the potential risks associated with this medication.