Question

4. The nurse is caring for a client receiving a dopamine intravenous infusion. The nurse has been assessing the client’s vital signs every 15 minutes. The nurse notes that since the last assessment, the dopamine infusion has turned pink. What does the nurse do? ? Provide a detailed rationale for the answer you selected and the incorrect choices. a. Stop the IV infusion, assess the client for adverse effects and notify the prescriber. b. Stop the infusion, notify the pharmacy for an immediate replacement, and assess the client. c. Continue to assess the client and infuse the solution as prescribed. d. Continue to assess the client, and infuse the solution as prescribed for up to 24 hours after hanging.

Answer 1

It is recommended not to use dopamine infusion if it got discoloration as pink or brown, as it indicated the degradation of the drug.

Hence if the nurse notices any sign of dopamine discoloration like if dopamine infusion is turned pink, then it is advised to stop the infusion, and notify the pharmacy personnel for the immediate replacement and assess the client. The pharmacy personnel should keep in mind the storage conditions of the infusion and other required precautions to correct it in the future.

Hence option B is the correct way to handle this situation.