Vasoactive Drips: A Guide to Starting and Titrating Critical Care Drips

Contact Hour(s): 

2 Contact Hours, including 2 Advanced Pharmacology Hours

Author:

James Wittenauer, RN, MSN, MPA, RN-BC

This peer-reviewed course is applicable for the following professions:

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), CCI Credentialed Specialists, Certified Nurse Midwife, Certified Nurse Practitioner, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN), Midwife (MW), Nursing Student, Occupational Therapist (OT), Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA), Physical Therapist (PT), Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Nurse Practitioner

Accreditations: 

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

State Approvals:

Alabama, Provider #ABNP1485; California BRN Provider #CEP # 13509; Kentucky Board of Nursing Provider #7-0085; Florida Board of Nursing Provider 50-353

Course Description:

This course discusses reasons for using vasoactive medications in an intensive care environment. The course examines the various uses of vasoactive medications and the contraindications and safety measures needed to administer them safely. The course also discusses the use of vasoactive medications in the pediatric setting.

Outcomes:

≥ 92% of participants will have increased knowledge and confidence in their ability to administer vasoactive intravenous medications safely.

Objectives:

After completing this continuing education course, the participant will be able to:

1. Explain when vasoactive medications are indicated.
2. Identify the parameters and titration of critical care medications.
3. Define titration, vasopressor, inotrope, catecholamine, adrenergic, vasodilator, and antiarrhythmic.
4. Determine vasoactive drugs, infusion rates, and other medicines for critically ill patients.
5. Specify how to calculate and verify drug mixtures every time a critical drug is administered.
6. Outline the basic principles of administering vasoactive medications to the pediatric patient.

Disclosures:

CEUFast Inc. and the course planning team for this educational activity do not have any relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.