When urinary output is low for a client on dopamine infusion, what is the nurse's priority action?

The priority action when a client on dopamine infusion exhibits low urinary output is to notify the healthcare provider. This step is crucial because low urine output may indicate inadequate renal perfusion or deterioration in the patient's condition, which requires immediate attention. Dopamine is often used in clinical settings to improve renal blood flow, and a lack of response in terms of urinary output could signify issues that need to be assessed and managed by the healthcare provider.

In this scenario, notifying the healthcare provider allows for timely intervention, such as adjusting the medication, evaluating fluid status, or considering the need for additional treatments. Monitoring and communication are vital components of patient safety and effective care.

While stopping the infusion of dopamine might seem logical if low urinary output is observed, this could potentially worsen the client's condition if dopamine is essential for maintaining renal perfusion. Adjusting the intravenous fluids or changing the catheter might be relevant actions, but these typically come after a thorough assessment and guidance from the healthcare provider. Thus, effective communication with the provider is the most critical first step in addressing this situation.