Before administering atenolol, what is the appropriate nursing action if the apical heart rate is 61 bpm?

Administering atenolol is appropriate when the apical heart rate is 61 bpm, as this is generally within acceptable limits for this medication. Atenolol is a beta-blocker commonly used to manage conditions such as hypertension and arrhythmias. The standard practice often involves holding the medication if the heart rate is below 60 bpm, as lower heart rates may indicate bradycardia, which can be exacerbated by the use of beta-blockers. However, a heart rate of 61 bpm is typically not considered contraindicated for initiating treatment, provided the patient is stable and there are no other clinical indicators that suggest caution.

Since withholding the medication at this heart rate may not be necessary, monitoring for a longer duration or adjusting the dosage are not typical immediate nursing actions in this scenario. The focus should be on confirming that the rate is stable enough to proceed with the medication administration while continuing to monitor for any potential changes in the patient’s condition.