The patient is in shock with a blood pressure of 60/20 mmHg. The physician orders isoproterenol (Isuprel) intravenously (IV). The family is quite anxious and asks what "that liquid" is for. What is the best response of the nurse?
1. "This drug is a vasopressor and helps the heart beat more effectively, which will increase blood pressure."
2. "Vasopressor drugs act on the renin-angiotension system and thus increase blood pressure."
3. "This drug is a vasopressor and will help stabilize blood pressure by making the blood vessels smaller."
4. "It is called a vasopressor and will help the kidneys increase and maintain blood pressure."
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: In early shock, the body compensates for the fall in blood pressure by activating the sympathetic nervous system. The body's ability is limited, so sympathomimetic vasoconstrictors, known as vasopressors, have been used to stabilize blood pressure in shock patients. Vasopressors do not act on the kidneys. Vasopressors do not increase cardiac contractility. Vasopressors do not affect the renin-angiotension system.
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