If an infant's heart rate is 110 beats/min, what should the nurse do before administering digoxin?

When considering the administration of digoxin, it's crucial to recognize that digoxin can affect heart rate, particularly in infants, where monitoring is especially important. The normal resting heart rate for infants typically ranges from 100 to 160 beats per minute. A heart rate of 110 beats per minute falls within this normal range, suggesting that the infant's heart rate is stable and within the acceptable limits for administering the medication.

Before giving digoxin, it’s essential to ensure the heart rate is not too low, as administering it with bradycardia (a heart rate significantly lower than normal) could lead to serious complications. Since a heart rate of 110 beats per minute is appropriate, the nurse can proceed with administering the prescribed dose of digoxin safely, provided there are no other contraindications or specific clinical guidelines that suggest otherwise.

The importance of heart rate monitoring and comprehension of medication effects on cardiac function in infants is crucial for safe nursing practice, making the choice to proceed with administration reasonable and safe in this context.