4.11 Beta-1 Agonists
Open Resources for Nursing (Open RN)
Dobutamine is a Beta-1 agonist.
Mechanism of Action: Dobutamine stimulates Beta-1 receptors to increase heart rate, force of contraction, and conduction velocity.
Indications: Dobutamine is used to treat cardiogenic shock and severe heart failure to increase contractility and cardiac output.
Nursing Considerations: In IV administration, dilute concentration before administering. Continuously monitor electrocardiogram (ECG), blood pressure, cardiac output, and urine output during therapy. This drug can cause a marked increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Report all adverse reactions promptly, especially labored breathing, angina, palpitations, and dizziness.
Patient Teaching & Education: The patient should be instructed to inform the nurse immediately if they notice chest pain, shortness of breath, or numbness or tingling in the extremities.[1]
Now let’s take a closer look at the dobutamine medication grid in Table 4.11.[2]
Table 4.11 Dobutamine Medication Grid
Class/Subclass |
Prototype/Generic |
Administration Considerations |
Therapeutic Effects |
Side/Adverse Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta-1 agonist | dobutamine | Continuously monitor ECG, blood pressure, cardiac output, and urine output during therapy | Increases heart rate, force of heart contraction, and speed of conduction between SA to AV nodes | Marked increase in heart rate and blood pressure
Report all adverse reactions promptly, especially labored breathing, angina, palpitations, and dizziness |
- uCentral from Unbound Medicine. https://www.unboundmedicine.com/ucentral ↵
- This work is a derivative of Daily Med by U.S. National Library of Medicine in the public domain. ↵
