Vasoactive drug therapy in shock

The process of supporting the patient in shock with vasoactive infusions is never a static one. There are a variety of vasoactive infusions available; unfortunately, no one medication effectively corrects the numerous abnormalities in all forms of shock and no magic formula exists for combining medications to achieve optimum tissue perfusion. The nurse is challenged to utilize keen assessment skills and sophisticated monitoring techniques to follow the patient's response to changing vasoactive drug therapy. The nurse must collaborate with the physician and other health team members to integrate drug therapy with the other aspects of shock therapy, including fluid repletion, oxygenation and ventilation, metabolic support, and antibiotic therapy to facilitate the successful resuscitation of the patient in shock.