Which of the following medications is associated with monitoring heart rate prior to administration?

The medication that requires monitoring heart rate prior to administration is digoxin. Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside used to treat heart failure and certain types of arrhythmias. It works by increasing the force of myocardial contractions and slowing down the heart rate, which is particularly beneficial in patients with atrial fibrillation or heart failure.

Monitoring heart rate is essential before giving digoxin because it has a narrow therapeutic window. Administration is typically contraindicated if the resting heart rate is too low—specifically, if it is less than 60 beats per minute for adults—since this could lead to an overdose or adverse effects such as bradycardia. By checking the heart rate beforehand, healthcare providers can ensure that the patient is in a safe range to receive the medication and can take appropriate actions if the heart rate is outside of that range.

While insulin, heparin, and aspirin are important medications with their specific monitoring requirements, they do not have the same critical relationship with heart rate as digoxin does. For example, insulin requires monitoring of blood glucose levels, heparin needs monitoring of coagulation parameters, and aspirin is monitored for potential bleeding complications or gastrointestinal effects.