A patient is receiving dopamine, a vasoactive drug used for shock, to increase her stroke volume. What should the nurse be aware of when monitoring a vasoactive drug?
A) The drug should be discontinued immediately after blood pressure increases.
B) The drug dose should be weaned down prior to discontinuing.
C) The drug may cause respiratory alkalosis.
D) The drug reduces oxygen demands of the heart.
Ans: B
Feedback: When vasoactive medications are discontinued, they should never be stopped abruptly because this could cause severe hemodynamic instability, perpetuating the shock state. This makes option A incorrect. Options C and D are incorrect; vasoactive drugs do not cause respiratory alkalosis or reduce oxygen demands on the heart.
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