Author Question: The nurse caring for a woman hospitalized for hyperemesis gravidarum expects that initial treatment ... (Read 77 times)

CharlieWard · **on:** Jun 27, 2018

The nurse caring for a woman hospitalized for hyperemesis gravidarum expects that initial treatment will involve:

1. corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.
2. IV therapy to correct fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
3. an antiemetic such as pyridoxine to control nausea and vomiting.
4. enteral nutrition to correct nutritional deficits.

Question 2

Concerning medications, herbs, shots, and other substances normally encountered, a maternity nurse should be aware that:

1. both prescription and OTC drugs that are otherwise harmless can be made ha-zardous by metabolic deficiencies of the fetus.
2. the greatest danger of drug-caused developmental deficits in the fetus occurs in the final trimester.
3. killed-virus vaccines (e.g., tetanus) should not be used during pregnancy, but live-virus vaccines (e.g., measles) are okay.
4. no convincing evidence exists to show that secondhand smoke is potentially dan-gerous to the fetus.

Sarahjh · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 27, 2018

Answer to Question 1

2
1. Incorrect. Corticosteroids have been used successfully to treat refractory hyperemesis gravidarum but are not the expected initial treatment for this disorder.
2. Correct. Initially, the woman who is unable to down clear liquids by mouth will require IV therapy for correction of fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
3. Incorrect. Pyridoxine is vitamin B6, not an antiemetic. Promethazine, a common anti-emetic, may be prescribed.
4. Incorrect. In severe cases of hyperemesis gravidarum, enteral nutrition via a feeding tube may be necessary to correct maternal nutritional deprivation. This would not be the initial treatment for the patient.

Answer to Question 2

1
1. Correct. This is especially true for new medications and combinations of drugs.
2. Incorrect. The greatest danger of drug-caused developmental defects occurs from fertili-zation through the first trimester when a woman may not realize she is pregnant.
3. Incorrect. Live-virus vaccines should be part of postpartum care; killed-virus vaccines may be administered during pregnancy.
4. Incorrect. Secondhand smoke is associated with fetal growth restriction and increases in infant mortality.