What is a special instruction when administering Lanoxin (Digoxin)?

Monitoring a resident's pulse rate before administering Lanoxin (Digoxin) is crucial because digoxin influences the heart's rhythm and rate. This medication is commonly used to treat heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation or heart failure, and it has a narrow therapeutic window, meaning that the difference between an effective dose and a toxic dose is small.

A significant consideration with digoxin is that it can cause bradycardia, or a decrease in heart rate. If the pulse rate is below a certain threshold (typically 60 beats per minute), the healthcare provider may hold the medication and consult with the prescribing doctor. Thus, checking the pulse ensures that the medication is administered safely, avoiding possible adverse effects that could arise from inappropriate dosing in patients who might already have compromised heart function.

The other options, while relevant in different contexts, do not carry the same level of critical importance when administering digoxin. Monitoring blood pressure, ensuring the patient is fasting, and increasing fluid intake may be important considerations for various medications or conditions but are not specifically tied to the safe administration of digoxin.