A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving dopamine IV to treat left ventricular failure. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the medication is having a therapeutic effect?

A. An increase in systolic blood pressure is a therapeutic effect of dopamine, especially in treating conditions like shock or heart failure. Dopamine can increase cardiac output and improve blood pressure by stimulating beta-1 receptors. B. Reduced urine output would be a sign of insufficient renal perfusion, which is the opposite of the desired effect of dopamine. Dopamine should help increase urine output by improving renal blood flow. C. An increase in the apical heart rate is a potential side effect of dopamine but is not necessarily indicative of its therapeutic effect. The goal is to increase cardiac output and perfusion rather than merely raise the heart rate. D. A decrease in cardiac output is contrary to the therapeutic goal of dopamine, which is to improve cardiac output and tissue perfusion in clients with heart failure or shock.