What is the priority assessment the nurse should make before administering digoxin (Lanoxin®)?

The priority assessment before administering digoxin is the heart rate. Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that affects heart function, and it can lead to bradycardia, or a significantly slowed heart rate, which can be dangerous. It is crucial to assess the patient's heart rate and ensure it is within a safe range before administration.

A heart rate below the recommended threshold (usually less than 60 beats per minute for adults) may indicate that administration of digoxin could lead to further heart rate reduction, potentially resulting in adverse effects such as syncope, dizziness, or even cardiac arrest. Therefore, confirming that the heart rate is appropriate ensures patient safety and optimal therapeutic benefit from the medication.

Other assessments like blood pressure, respiratory rate, and fluid balance are also important in overall patient evaluation but do not directly influence the immediate safety of administering digoxin as directly as heart rate does.