What action should you take if you are unsure about a digoxin order or suspect the dose may be inappropriate?

• A. Proceed with administration and adjust dose as needed.
• B. Wait until a later shift to clarify.
• C. Hold the medication and verify with the pharmacist or prescriber.
• D. Discard the medication and skip administration.

Answer: (C)

Digoxin has a very narrow safe range, so confirming the dose before giving it is crucial. When you’re unsure about the order or suspect the dose may be inappropriate, the safest move is to hold the medication and verify the order with the pharmacist or prescriber. This step prevents dosing errors and toxicity by allowing a professional to confirm the correct dose, route, and timing and to review factors that affect digoxin levels—like renal function, electrolytes, and potential drug interactions. If policies allow, you would also check the patient’s apical pulse and any recent digoxin levels or pertinent labs before resuming, but the priority is to verify with the physician or pharmacist before administration.