Before administering digoxin, what vital sign must be checked?

When administering digoxin, it is essential to check the pulse for several important reasons. Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that primarily affects heart function by increasing the force of heart contractions and regulating heart rate. One of the critical effects of digoxin is its potential to lower heart rate due to its influence on the electrical conduction system of the heart.

Before giving digoxin, it is crucial to assess the patient's heart rate because administering the medication when the pulse is below a certain threshold (typically 60 beats per minute) can lead to significant complications, including toxicity or worsened bradycardia. Checking the pulse helps ensure the patient is stable enough to receive the medication safely.

While blood pressure, respiratory rate, and temperature are also important vital signs to monitor in overall patient care, they do not have the same direct correlation with the administration of digoxin as pulse does. Blood pressure monitoring is crucial for various medications and conditions but is not a specific pre-requisite for digoxin. Similarly, while respiratory rate and temperature provide valuable information about a patient's overall health and potential reactions to medications, they are not directly tied to the administration of digoxin.