The nurse finds that a client receiving digoxin (Lanoxin) 0.25 mg orally has an apical pulse of 54. Which of the following should the nurse do first ?

Number 1 is correct.

Unless otherwise ordered, a client’s apical pulse needs to be 60 for digoxin administration. The nurse should withhold the medicine and contact the prescribing physician. Having another nurse verify the apical pulse is not the correct first action as there is no indication that the digoxin should be administered regardless or that the first nurse made an error. A stat ECG is unnecessary.