An 80-year-old patient has been brought to the emergency department in shock. The patient is receiving dopamine (Intropin). What potentially serious adverse effect will the nurse monitor for?
A) Blood dyscrasia
B) Cardiac arrhythmia
C) Hepatic toxicity
D) Renal insufficiency
B
Feedback:
Dopamine therapy can result in cardiac arrhythmias, which can be life threatening. Older patients are more likely to experience the adverse effects associated with adrenergic agonists and should be started on lower doses and monitored closely for arrhythmias and blood pressure changes. Blood dyscrasias, hepatic toxicity, and renal insufficiency are not commonly associated with dopamine use. In fact, at lower doses, dopamine increases renal perfusion.
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