A pregnant patient receiving intravenous oxytocin for 1 hour has ...

[rlane42]

A pregnant patient receiving intravenous oxytocin for 1 hour has contractions lasting 80 seconds. What should the nurse do first for this patient?
 
  A) Discontinue the oxytocin infusion.
  B) Slow the infusion to below 10 gtt/minute.
  C) Increase the flow rate of the main line infusion.
  D) Continue to monitor contraction duration every 2 hours.

Question 2

After an hour of oxytocin therapy, a patient in labor experiences headache and vomiting. What should the nurse do?
 
  A) Assess the vagina for full dilation.
  B) Notify the physician and stop the infusion.
  C) Instruct the patient to breathe in and out rapidly.
  D) Administer oral orange juice for added potassium.

[jordangronback]

Answer to Question 1

A
Feedback:
Contractions should last no longer than 70 seconds. If contractions become longer in duration, stop the IV infusion and seek help immediately. The infusion needs to be discontinued and not slowed. Increasing the flow rate could cause fetal distress. The patient needs to be assessed more frequently than every 2 hours.

Answer to Question 2

B
Feedback:
A side effect of oxytocin is that it can result in decreased urine flow, possibly leading to water intoxication. This is first manifested by headache and vomiting. If these danger signs are observed in the patient during induction of labor, report them immediately and halt the infusion. Assessing the vagina for dilation, increasing respirations, and administering orange juice for potassium will not help with water intoxication.

[rlane42]

Excellent

[kusterl]

Great answer, keep it coming