The patient with heart failure has been prescribed digoxin. What is the priority nursing intervention?

Choice A reason: Monitoring for dysrhythmias is important but not the first priority before administration. It is part of ongoing assessment. Choice B reason: Assessing the apical pulse for one full minute before administering digoxin is the priority action. If the pulse is below 60 bpm, the medication should be withheld and the provider notified. Choice C reason: Radial pulse is less accurate than apical pulse for detecting rate and rhythm abnormalities, especially in patients on digoxin. Choice D reason: Blood pressure monitoring is relevant but not the primary safety check before giving digoxin.