What finding should a nurse report when administering digoxin 0.125 mg to a client?

When administering digoxin, a nurse should closely monitor the client's heart rate due to the medication's effects on cardiac function. Digoxin is commonly used to treat heart conditions, but it can also lead to bradycardia, which is a slower-than-normal heart rate.

An apical pulse of 58 beats per minute indicates bradycardia, which is significant when administering digoxin. According to clinical guidelines, before administering digoxin, the nurse should assess the apical pulse and typically hold the medication if the heart rate is below 60 beats per minute. A pulse rate of 58 falls below this threshold, signaling a potential risk for increased side effects or toxicity related to digoxin, and warrants immediate reporting to the healthcare provider for further evaluation.

In contrast, an apical pulse of 72, 80, or 65 beats per minute falls within an acceptable range for heart rates and does not require the same level of concern when administering digoxin, making them less critical findings for the nurse to report.