This article aims to help nurses to administer inotropic drugs in a safe, effective and patient-centred manner. The mode of action of inotropic drugs makes them well suited to treat haemodynamic compromise experienced by critically ill patients. Effects such as increased force of myocardial contraction and vasoconstriction make them highly potent.
Knowledge relating to cardiovascular physiology and the mode of action of inotropes enables the nurse to deliver inotropic drugs safely.
Invasive blood pressure monitoring should be established before administering inotropic drugs, because of their rapid action.
Inotropes should be administered via a central venous catheter.
Drug administration procedures should be followed stringently.
Clinical skills articles can help update your practice and ensure it remains evidence based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of:
The ways in which this article and the useful resources have enhanced your knowledge.
How your practice, local policy and this article compare in the care of a patient receiving inotropic drugs. Could your practice be enhanced?
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Nursing Standard. 30, 4, 36-39. doi: 10.7748/ns.30.4.36.e9361
Correspondence Peer reviewAll articles are subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software.
Received: 19 July 2014
Accepted: 15 January 2015
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