Flip a coin? Better ways to titrate vasoactive medications!
Julie Miller, RN, BSN, CCRN
President:  Paws to Learn

Abstract:
Content Description
Dopamine, Dobutamine, Epi, Norepi, Neosynephrine, Primacor, Vasopressin, the "ACE Inhibitors," "AII blockers," & the "olols," and these are just a few of the multitudes of vasoactive medications progressive and critical care nurses are responsible for managing every day!  Many drugs have similar effects, yet physiologically they affect vastly different receptors. How do you decide which one is affecting what parameter?

This session will focus on gaining an improved understanding of the medication’s effect on the autonomic nervous system pathways and enhancing decision making skills for drip titration. The target audience is progressive and critical care nurses who manage patients receiving multiple vasoactive medications.  Key content will be focused on evidenced based material and will include; a review of the variations in hemodynamic assessments for systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), hypovolemic, cardiogenic, neurogenic, and septic shock syndromes; correlation of medication effects to their influence upon the sympathetic & parasympathetic systems including the  beta and alpha receptors, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, & natriuretic peptides; potential adverse effects; and management strategies when intervening with oral and intravenous vasoactive medications. Patient outcomes are improved when nurses’ practice reflects evidenced based recommendations.

Professional satisfaction is improved when nurses understand the “why” behind the intervention. An interactive case study approach will enhance retention of material presented. Participants should have a basic understanding of preload, afterload, contractility and cardiac output as prerequisite knowledge.
 
Objectives: 
Identify the location of alpha, beta one and beta two receptors.

Correlate the desired effect of vasoactive medications to the sympathetic and parasympathetic receptors affected.

Discuss the effect of vasoactive medications on preload, afterload and contractility.
 
Format and Method of Instruction:
75 to 90 minutes, expandable to 3 hours
Interactive lecture, case studies and audiovisuals
 
Primary Speaker Information:
Julie Miller, RN, BSN, CCRN
President:  Paws to Learn
7313 CR 2192
Whitehouse TX 75791
C:  903–245–1223
Fax:  903–839–0894
Email:  [email protected]
 
© 1999: Paws to Learn


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