Which medication should be withheld if a patient’s apical pulse is below 60 beats/minute?

The medication that should be withheld if a patient’s apical pulse is below 60 beats per minute is digoxin. This is because digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that increases the force of heart contractions and can also slow down the heart rate. If the heart rate is too slow (bradycardia), administering digoxin can potentially lead to adverse effects such as toxicity, exacerbation of the slow heart rate, or even dysrhythmias. Therefore, monitoring the apical pulse before administering digoxin is crucial, and if it is below 60 beats per minute, the medication is typically withheld to ensure patient safety.

On the other hand, medications like amlodipine, Lasix (furosemide), and atorvastatin do not have the same direct contraindication related to heart rate as digoxin does. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker mainly used for hypertension and does not raise concerns when the heart rate is low. Lasix is a diuretic used for fluid management, and while it may be related to cardiovascular function, it is not contraindicated at a heart rate below 60 beats per minute. Atorvastatin, a statin used for lowering cholesterol levels, also does not pose