Dopamine (Inotropin) Nursing Considerations
Included In This Lesson
Study Tools For Dopamine (Inotropin) Nursing Considerations
Outline
Generic Name
dopamine
Trade Name
Inotropin
What is the indication for Dopamine?
used to improve blood pressure, cardiac output, and urine output
Action
Smaller doses result in renal vasodilation
Doses 2-10mcg/kg/min result in cardiac stimulation by acting on beta1 receptors
Doses >10mcg/kg/min stimulate alpha receptors leading to vasoconstriction (↑SVR)
What is the therapeutic class for Dopamine?
inotropic, vasopressor
Pharmacologic Class
adrenergic
Nursing Considerations for Dopamine (Inotropin)
• Monitor hemodynamics closely: BP, HR, EKG, CVP, and PAOP if available
• Obtain parameters for hemodynamic values
• Titrate to obtain appropriate BP (more potent vasoconstrictors may be required)
• Irritation may occur at IV site
• Beta blockers may counteract therapeutic effects
Dopamine Audio Lecture
Transcript
Let’s take a look at dopamine, also known as Inotropin. This is an IV medication, as you can see here with the vial. So remember when we talk about the therapeutic class, we’re talking about the way the drug works in the body while the pharmacologic class is the chemical effect of the drug. So the therapeutic class of dopamine is an inotropic agent, as well as a vasopressor and the pharmacologic class is adrenergic. So it’s important to mention that dopamine in smaller doses does result in renal vasodilation, doses between two and 10 mcg/kg/minute results in cardiac stimulation, while doses that are greater than 10 mcg/kg/min stimulates alpha receptors leading to vasoconstriction. So dopamine, depending on the dose, is indicated to improve blood pressure, cardiac output, and urine output.
With dopamine, we do see some side effects which can include arrhythmias, anxiety, nausea, and headache. So let’s take a look at a few nursing considerations for dopamine. You must monitor the hemodynamics closely, which would include blood pressure, heart rate, EKG, CVP, or central venous pressure, pulmonary artery occlusion pressure, or PAOP. And with this, make sure you know what the parameters are for the hemodynamic values that you are monitoring closely. So with dopamine, we are able to titrate the medication to get the desired blood pressure, but sometimes more potent vasoconstrictors are needed to achieve that desired blood pressure. Dopamine does interact with beta-blockers as beta-blockers can counteract to therapeutic effects of dopamine. So keep this in mind and make sure to teach your patient signs of a reaction which include wheezing, chest tightness, fever, and itching. Guys. I can remember when I was working in the ICU, a fellow nurse infused dopamine and dobutamine, which led to questioning an order that was given, which ended up really making the nurse feel embarrassed. I do not want that to happen to you. So remember there is a difference between these two medications. Guys, dopamine has an alpha effect while dobutamine has a beta effect. Check out our other lesson on dobutamine.
That’s it for dopamine or Inotropin. Now go out and be your best self today. And as always happy nursing.
Care plan
Concepts Covered:
- Basics of NCLEX
- Test Taking Strategies
- Integumentary Disorders
- Postoperative Nursing
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Musculoskeletal Trauma
- Emergency Care of the Trauma Patient
- Shock
- Acute & Chronic Renal Disorders
- Vascular Disorders
- Communication
- Perioperative Nursing Roles
- Hematologic Disorders
- Disorders of the Thyroid & Parathyroid Glands
- Cardiac Disorders
- Emergency Care of the Cardiac Patient
- Disorders of the Posterior Pituitary Gland
- Male Reproductive Disorders
- Infectious Disease Disorders
- Infectious Respiratory Disorder
- Intraoperative Nursing
- Medication Administration
- Urinary Disorders
- Urinary System
- Upper GI Disorders
- Preoperative Nursing
- Lower GI Disorders
- Neurological Trauma
- Neurological Emergencies
- Noninfectious Respiratory Disorder
- Respiratory System
- Oncology Disorders
- Respiratory Emergencies
- Immunological Disorders
- Central Nervous System Disorders – Brain
- Renal Disorders
- EENT Disorders
- Emergency Care of the Neurological Patient
- EENT Disorders
- Liver & Gallbladder Disorders
- Shock
- Studying
- Disorders of Pancreas
- Respiratory
- Emergency Care of the Respiratory Patient
- Legal and Ethical Issues
- Documentation and Communication
- Fundamentals of Emergency Nursing
- Female Reproductive Disorders
- Sexually Transmitted Infections
- Peripheral Nervous System Disorders
- Microbiology
- Central Nervous System Disorders – Spinal Cord
- Integumentary Disorders
- Disorders of Thermoregulation
- Neurologic and Cognitive Disorders
- Renal and Urinary Disorders
- Disorders of the Adrenal Gland
- Respiratory Disorders
- Nervous System
- Integumentary Important Points
- Tissues and Glands
- Delegation
- Factors Influencing Community Health
- Multisystem
- Cardiovascular
- Circulatory System
- Newborn Complications
- Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Cognitive Disorders
- Neurological
- Gastrointestinal
- Endocrine