Vasopressor Selection and Safety Monitoring

Norepinephrine is used when vasodilation has lowered vascular tone enough that fluids alone cannot maintain organ perfusion. For septic shock after adequate fluid resuscitation, it is the first-line vasopressor; titration generally begins with a mean arterial pressure (MAP) target of at least 65 mm Hg. That target is a pressure goal, not proof that tissues are receiving enough oxygen. A patient whose MAP improves while urine output falls, mentation worsens, or lactate rises still has a perfusion problem. The nurse therefore connects the infusion rate with the whole response: why the pressure is low, whether the line is functioning, and whether organs are recovering.