The patient does
not respond adequately to fluid replacement and
was given an IV infusion of dopamine hydrochloride at 5 mcg/kg/minute. In addition, to
monitor that the drug is having the desired effect, the nurse should assess the
client for increased cardiac output. At medium doses, which is between 4 – 8 mcg/kg/min, the dopamine
hydrochloride slightly increases the heart rate and improves contractility to
increase cardiac output and recover tissue perfusion.
