A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing preterm labor and has a prescription for 4 doses
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Maternal Newborn Assessment 1.A nurse is performing a vaginal exam on a client who is in active labor. The nurse notes the umbilical cord protruding through the cervix. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? Administer oxytocin to the client via intravenous infusion. Apply oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. Prepare for insertion of an intrauterine pressure catheter. Assist the client into the knee-chest position. 2.A nurse is assessing a newborn who is 48 hr old and is experiencing opioid withdrawals. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? Hypotonicity Moderate tremors of the extremities Axillary temperature 36.1° C (96.9° F) Excessive sleeping 3.A nurse is reviewing a client's medical record and notes that the client is taking tamoxifen. The nurse should identify that tamoxifen is used to treat which of the following conditions? Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Endometriosis Breast cancer Polycystic ovary syndrome 4.A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving oxytocin to augment labor. The client has an intrauterine pressure catheter and an internal fetal scalp electrode for monitoring. Which of the following is an indication that the nurse should discontinue the infusion? Contraction frequency every 3 min Contraction duration of 100 seconds Fetal heart rate with moderate variability
Treatments for preterm laborPreterm labor is labor that happens too early, before 37 weeks of pregnancy. If you have preterm labor, your health care provider may recommend some treatments that may help stop your contractions and prevent health problems for you and your baby. They aren’t guaranteed, but research shows that they do help some people. What kinds of medicines are used in preterm labor?Antenatal corticosteroids (also called ACS). These include medicines such as betamethasone and dexamethasone. These speed up your baby’s lung development. They also help reduce your baby’s chances of having certain health problems after birth, including respiratory distress syndrome (also called RDS), intraventricular hemorrhage (also called IVH) and necrotizing enterocolitis (also called NEC). RDS is a condition that affects a baby's breathing. IVH is bleeding in the brain. NEC is a condition that affects a baby's intestines. Antibiotics. These medicines, which include ceftriaxone, clarithromycin, and metronidazole, kill infections caused by bacteria. If you have a positive Group B strep test, or if you have preterm premature rupture of membranes (also called PPROM), your health care provider may give you antibiotics to help prevent infections in you and your baby. PPROM is when the sac around your baby breaks before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Tocolytics. These medicines may be used to slow or stop labor contractions. There are several types, including:
Tocolytics may delay labor, often for just a few days. This delay may give you time to get treatment with ACS or to get to a hospital that has a NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). A NICU is a specialized nursery where newborns get medical care. If you have a health condition, such as a heart problem or severe preeclampsia, some tocolytics may not be safe for you. Preeclampsia is a condition that can happen after the 20th week of pregnancy or right after pregnancy. It’s when a pregnant woman has high blood pressure and signs that some of her organs, like her kidneys and liver, may not be working properly. Some of these signs include having protein in the urine, changes in vision and severe headache. Do medicines used during preterm labor have side effects?Yes. A side effect is an effect of a drug or medicine that is not the intended result. For example, a side effect of some cold medicines is that they make you sleepy. Side effects can be different for everyone. What side effects can antenatal corticosteroids cause?Antenatal corticosteroids are given as two injections within a 24 to 48-hour period. Possible side effects for you may include elevated blood sugar. If you take insulin and receive antenatal corticosteroids, your insulin regimen may need to be adjusted. What side effects can tocolytics cause?Beta-adrenergic receptor agonists may cause your baby to have a fast heartbeat. Possible side effects for you may include:
Side effects of calcium channel blockers for you may include:
Magnesium sulfate may cause the following side effects for your baby:
Side effects of magnesium sulfate for you may include:
NSAIDs, such as indomethacin. For your baby, these medicines may cause:
Side effects for you might include:
Talk with your health care provider about the benefits and risks of medicines. Last reviewed: December 2020 What medications are used for preterm labor?What kinds of medicines are used in preterm labor?. beta-adrenergic receptor agonists,. calcium channel blockers,. magnesium sulfate, and.. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs.. How do you manage preterm labor?How is preterm labor treated?. Bed rest. This can be done either at home or in the hospital.. Tocolytic medicines. These help slow or stop contractions. ... . Corticosteroids. These may help the lungs of your baby grow and mature. ... . Cervical cerclage. ... . Antibiotics. ... . Delivery of the baby.. Does an IV stop contractions?You'll probably be given intravenous fluids (through a needle in your arm). The most common medications used to stop or slow labor contractions are magnesium sulfate, ritodrine (the only FDA approved medication for premature labor) and terbutaline.
Why is nifedipine used in preterm labor?Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker which has been commonly used in the treatment of preterm labor with dilation of the cervix, with good results. However, the main benefit of a tocolytic drug is the prolongation of pregnancy for a 48-hour period to allow the steroid effect to enhance fetal lung maturity.
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