What is the IV bolus dose for norepinephrine?

What is the IV bolus dose for norepinephrine?

• A. 50-100 mcg
• B. 0.5-1 mcg
• C. 5-10 mcg
• D. 1-2 mg

Answer: (C)

Norepinephrine acts mainly as a rapid-acting alpha-1 vasoconstrictor to boost mean arterial pressure in shock. When given as an IV bolus, the goal is a small, rapid, yet effective dose that promptly increases vascular tone without overshooting into severe hypertension. About 5-10 micrograms fits this purpose well: it’s large enough to cause an immediate pressor response, but not so large as to cause dangerous spikes in blood pressure or ischemia. Lower amounts like 0.5-1 microgram would often be too small to produce a rapid effect, while tens of micrograms or milligram quantities would be excessive and risky for a single bolus. After achieving the target MAP, the patient is typically started on a continuous infusion and titrated.

Norepinephrine acts mainly as a rapid-acting alpha-1 vasoconstrictor to boost mean arterial pressure in shock. When given as an IV bolus, the goal is a small, rapid, yet effective dose that promptly increases vascular tone without overshooting into severe hypertension. About 5-10 micrograms fits this purpose well: it’s large enough to cause an immediate pressor response, but not so large as to cause dangerous spikes in blood pressure or ischemia. Lower amounts like 0.5-1 microgram would often be too small to produce a rapid effect, while tens of micrograms or milligram quantities would be excessive and risky for a single bolus. After achieving the target MAP, the patient is typically started on a continuous infusion and titrated.