Final answer:
Vital signs should be monitored at least every 15 minutes when administering vasoactive medications, due to the rapid effects these medications can have on a patient's cardiovascular status.
Step-by-step explanation:
When administering vasoactive medications, it is essential to monitor a patient's vital signs frequently due to the potential for rapid changes in blood pressure and heart rate. The correct frequency for checking vital signs in this scenario should be at least every 15 minutes. As a health professional, it's important to recognize that different medications can have different half-lives and dosing requirements, which can influence how the body responds and how often monitoring should occur. For example, some vasoactive drugs may be short-acting with fast onset and need more frequent observation, while others may have longer durations of action.
When vasoactive medications are administered, the nurse must monitor vital signs at least every 15 minutes. Vasoactive medications can have a rapid and significant effect on blood pressure, heart rate, and other vital signs, so close monitoring is necessary to ensure patient safety. For example, a vasoactive medication such as dopamine can cause changes in blood pressure within minutes of administration, so frequent monitoring is essential to detect and respond to any adverse reactions or complications.