What vital sign should be monitored in patients receiving digoxin?

Monitoring the heart rate in patients receiving digoxin is crucial because digoxin has a direct effect on the cardiac tissue, influencing the strength and rhythm of heart contractions. Digoxin is primarily used to manage heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation and heart failure, where it helps improve cardiac output and control heart rate.

When a patient is on digoxin, it’s essential to assess their heart rate to ensure it stays within a safe range, typically between 60 and 100 beats per minute for adults. If the heart rate falls below 60 beats per minute (bradycardia), it is important to hold the medication and notify the healthcare provider, as this could indicate digoxin toxicity or decreased cardiac output.

While monitoring blood pressure, body temperature, and respiratory rate are also critical components of patient assessment, they are not specifically indicative of digoxin's therapeutic effects or toxicity. Blood pressure can be affected by various factors and does not directly reflect digoxin's impact on the heart. Body temperature and respiratory rate are important in overall patient monitoring but do not provide specific information regarding the effectiveness or safety of digoxin therapy like heart rate does.