A patient of Orthodox Jewish faith is admitted to the hospital with heart failure on Yom Kippur.The physician prescribes digoxin 0.25 mg to be given orally for this patient.Based on the patient's religious affiliation,which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A) Administer the medication as prescribed.
B) Hold the medication until after Yom Kippur.
C) Explain the importance of taking the medication despite the holiday.
D) Ask the physician to change the route of administration.

Yom Kippur is one of the holiest of the Jewish holidays.Self-denial includes abstaining from eating,drinking,bathing,and other rituals.Digoxin is not a non-kosher medication,so the most spiritually appropriate nursing intervention is to ask the provider to change the route of administration.The patient is in heart failure and needs the medication; thus,withholding the medication is not an option.Although the patient may understand the importance of the medication,it is not appropriate to create internal conflict between adhering to religious practices and complying with the medical regimen,when changing the route would address both concerns.