What is the appropriate action if an infant's apical pulse is found to be 70 bpm before administering digoxin?

Withholding the medication and notifying the healthcare provider is the appropriate action when an infant's apical pulse is found to be 70 bpm before administering digoxin. In pediatrics, particularly in infants, digoxin has a narrow therapeutic window, and the apical pulse rate is a critical factor in determining the safety of administration. Typically, digoxin should not be given if the heart rate is below 90-110 beats per minute, depending on the specific guidelines or the patient's condition.

In this scenario, a pulse rate of 70 bpm is considered low, signaling potential bradycardia, which can be a sign of digoxin toxicity or could indicate an underlying health issue. Therefore, it is important to withhold the medication and consult with the healthcare provider to assess the situation further and determine the next steps, rather than administering the medication or monitoring without intervention. This ensures patient safety and proper management of the infant's condition.