The patient's family is asking questions about the medications used in the treatment for shock. The nurse explains that dopamine is one of the drugs being used and that it works:
(Select All that Apply.)
At high doses, to treat anaphylaxis.
At high doses, to increase cardiac output.
At low doses, to cause increased blood flow to the kidneys.
At low doses, to treat anaphylaxis.
To cause vasoconstriction and increase blood pressure.
Correct Answer : B,C,E
A. At high doses, to treat anaphylaxis: Dopamine is not used to treat anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is typically managed with medications such as epinephrine, antihistamines, and corticosteroids.
B. At high doses, to increase cardiac output: Dopamine is a medication commonly used in the treatment of shock, particularly in cases of hypotension. At higher doses, dopamine acts as a positive inotrope and increases cardiac contractility, thereby improving cardiac output and increasing blood pressure.
C. At low doses, to cause increased blood flow to the kidneys: At lower doses, dopamine primarily acts on dopaminergic receptors in the renal vasculature, leading to vasodilation of the renal blood vessels and increased renal perfusion. This can help improve renal blood flow and urine output, making it beneficial in cases of renal hypoperfusion or acute kidney injury.
D. At low doses, to treat anaphylaxis: Dopamine is not used to treat anaphylaxis at any dose. Anaphylaxis is managed with medications such as epinephrine, which acts on multiple receptors to reverse the systemic effects of the allergic reaction.
E. To cause vasoconstriction and increase blood pressure: Dopamine can also cause vasoconstriction, particularly at higher doses. This effect is mediated through its action on alpha-adrenergic receptors, leading to peripheral vasoconstriction and an increase in systemic vascular resistance, which in turn helps increase blood pressure.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Hypotension: Norepinephrine is administered to treat hypotension, so monitoring for hypotension is not typically a concern while the patient is receiving this medication. In fact, hypotension is often the reason for administering norepinephrine in the first place.
B. Liver failure: Monitoring for signs of liver failure may be important in patients receiving certain medications, but it is not a specific consideration when administering norepinephrine. Norepinephrine primarily affects blood pressure regulation and does not typically have direct effects on liver function.
C. Bradycardia: While norepinephrine can increase blood pressure by constricting blood vessels, it may also cause reflex bradycardia (a decrease in heart rate) as a compensatory response. However, the primary concern with norepinephrine administration is hypertension, not bradycardia.
D. Hypertension
Norepinephrine (Levophed) is a vasopressor medication commonly used to treat hypotension and shock. It works by constricting blood vessels, which increases blood pressure. Therefore, when administering norepinephrine, the nurse should monitor the patient for hypertension, as the medication's intended effect is to raise blood pressure.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
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.
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