Question

The nurse is checking the pulse rate of a six-week-old patient with aortic stenosis who has an order for digitalis. The client's pulse rate is found to be 82 beats per minute. Which action is most appropriate? A. Contact the physician prior to administering the medication B. Administer the medication and recheck the pulse rate 30 minutes later C. Administer the medication and document the pulse rate D. Withhold the medication and document the finding

Short answer

Answer: The nurse should contact the physician prior to administering the medication, as the infant's pulse rate is below the recommended threshold for administering digitalis.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the terminologies

Aortic stenosis is a heart condition where the aortic valve narrows, limiting the blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. Digitalis is a medication often prescribed for heart conditions as it helps to strengthen the heart's contractions and slow down the heart rate.

Consider the guidelines for administering digitalis in pediatric patients

In pediatric patients, digitalis should typically be withheld if the pulse rate is less than 90 beats per minute for infants and 70 beats per minute for older children. It is always essential to contact the physician before administering digitalis if there is any doubt.

Analyze the patient's pulse rate

The six-week-old patient's pulse rate is found to be 82 beats per minute, which is below the threshold of 90 beats per minute for infants. This indicates that caution should be taken before administering digitalis to the patient.

Determine the most appropriate action

Based on the information above, the most appropriate action is to contact the physician prior to administering the medication. This is because the infant's pulse rate is below the recommended threshold for administering digitalis, and it would be safer and more prudent to consult the medical professional before proceeding. Therefore, the correct answer is: A. Contact the physician prior to administering the medication