A nurse is caring for a client receiving norepinephrine infusion for the treatment of septic shock. Which assessment finding indicates a therapeutic response to the medication?
A nurse is caring for a client receiving norepinephrine infusion for the treatment of septic shock. Which assessment finding indicates a therapeutic response to the medication?
A. Decreased urine output.
[2%]
B. Increased blood pressure.
[89%]
C. Bradycardia.
[3%]
D. Decreased respiratory rate.
[5%]
Statistics
Subject/Lesson
Subject
Critical Care
Lesson
Critical Care Concepts
Client Need
Test Plan
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Related Topic
Expected Actions/Outcomes
Item Type
Item Type
Knowledge/Comprehension
Explanation
Choice B is correct. Norepinephrine is a vasopressor medication commonly used to increase blood pressure in clients with hypotension or shock. Therefore, an increase in blood pressure would indicate a therapeutic response to the medication, as it signifies improved perfusion to vital organs and tissues.
Choice A is incorrect. Decreased urine output is not indicative of a therapeutic response to norepinephrine. Decreased urine output may suggest inadequate tissue perfusion and renal function, which could be a sign of ongoing shock or a complication of norepinephrine therapy.
Choice C is incorrect. Bradycardia, or a slow heart rate, is not an expected therapeutic response to norepinephrine. Norepinephrine can cause tachycardia as a result of its vasoconstrictive effects on blood vessels and its action on adrenergic receptors in the heart.
Choice D is incorrect. Decreased respiratory rate is not an expected therapeutic response to norepinephrine. Norepinephrine primarily affects cardiovascular function by increasing blood pressure and heart rate, but it does not typically have a direct effect on respiratory rate.
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2 Key Topics
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Additional Info
✓ Norepinephrine is a medication classified as a vasopressor and sympathomimetic agent. It acts primarily on alpha-adrenergic receptors to produce vasoconstriction, which increases blood pressure. Norepinephrine is commonly used in the management of hypotension and shock, particularly septic shock, to improve perfusion to vital organs and tissues.
✓ Nurses should continuously monitor the client's vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation, during norepinephrine infusion to assess the medication's effectiveness and detect any adverse reactions promptly. Many clients receiving norepinephrine may require arterial line placement for continuous blood pressure monitoring.
✓ Norepinephrine is one of the most commonly used vasopressor medications for the management of septic shock. Studies have shown that norepinephrine is effective in increasing mean arterial pressure and improving perfusion to vital organs in clients with septic shock.
