A nurse is assisting in the care of a client who is receiving a dopamine infusion at a low dose for treatment of shock. Which of the following findings is an expected effect of this medication?
Lowered heart rate
Decreased conduction through the AV node
Increased urine output
Vasoconstriction of renal blood vessels
The Correct Answer is C
A) Lowered heart rate:
Dopamine typically increases heart rate as it acts on beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart, leading to increased cardiac contractility and chronotropy. However, at low doses, the effect on heart rate may be minimal compared to higher doses.
B) Decreased conduction through the AV node:
Dopamine may have minimal effects on conduction through the atrioventricular (AV) node, especially at low doses. It primarily acts on adrenergic receptors to increase cardiac contractility and heart rate.
C) Increased urine output.
Dopamine is a medication commonly used to treat shock by improving cardiac output and blood pressure. At low doses, dopamine primarily acts on dopamine receptors in the renal blood vessels, causing vasodilation and increased renal blood flow. This increased renal blood flow leads to increased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urine output. Therefore, increased urine output is an expected effect of dopamine infusion at low doses in the treatment of shock.
D) Vasoconstriction of renal blood vessels:
At low doses, dopamine primarily acts on dopamine receptors in the renal blood vessels, causing vasodilation and increased renal blood flow. Vasoconstriction of renal blood vessels is more commonly associated with higher doses of dopamine or with other vasopressor medications such as norepinephrine or phenylephrine.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["10"]
Explanation
To administer the correct dose of valproic acid, which is 500 mg, when the available oral solution concentration is 250 mg per 5 mL, the nurse needs to calculate the volume of the solution required.
The calculation is as follows: (500 mg) / (250 mg/5 mL) = 2 x 5 mL = 10 mL.
Therefore, the nurse should administer 10 mL of the valproic acid oral solution to deliver a dose of 500 mg.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Decreased cardiac output: Inotropic medications are intended to improve cardiac function and increase cardiac output, so monitoring for signs of decreased cardiac output would be contrary to the expected therapeutic effect of these medications.
B. Increased afterload: Inotropic medications primarily affect the contractility of the heart muscle and do not typically have a direct effect on afterload (the force against which the heart must pump blood). While changes in afterload can occur as a secondary consequence of altered cardiac function, monitoring for signs of increased afterload would not be the primary focus after administering an inotropic medication.
C. Increased cardiac output.
Inotropic medications are drugs that affect the contractility of the heart muscle. They are often used in the management of shock to improve cardiac function and increase cardiac output. Therefore, after administering an inotropic medication, the nurse would monitor the patient for signs of increased cardiac output, such as improved peripheral perfusion, increased blood pressure, and resolution of signs and symptoms of shock.
D. Slowing of the heart rate: Inotropic medications can affect heart rate indirectly by altering cardiac output, but their primary effect is on contractility rather than heart rate. Monitoring for signs of bradycardia (slowing of the heart rate) may be appropriate in certain clinical situations, but it is not the primary consideration after administering an inotropic medication for shock.
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