Labor and Delivery Medications

Question 1

dinoprostone
(Cervidil, Prepidil)

Answer 1

Class: prostaglandins, abortifacient

Actions: cervical ripening, pregnancy termination; relaxes cervical smooth muscle and stimulates uterine contractions

Adverse Reactions: fever, GI upset, abnormal uterine contractions, warm feeling in vagina, back pain, hypertonic uterine dysfunction with fetal distress

Question 2

misoprostol
(Cytotec)

Answer 2

Class: prostaglandin, gastrointestinal agent

Actions: induction of labor or pregnancy termination;

Adverse Reactions: diarrhea, abdominal pain, uterine rupture

Question 3

oxytocin (Pitocin)

Answer 3

Class: opioid / narcotic

Actions: relaxant the uterine muscles

Adverse Reactions:

Question 4

butorphanol
(Stadol, Torbutrol, Torbugesic)

Answer 4

Class: Opioid Analgesic

Actions: relieves moderate to severe pain. inhibits ascending pain pathways

Adverse Reactions: sedation, dizziness, nasal congestion, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, respiratory depression, respiratory failure, opioid dependence

Question 5

ritodrine
(no longer approved in the United States)

Answer 5

Class: adrenergic beta agonist

Actions: stops premature labor; decreases intracellular calcium and leads to a decrease of uterine contractions

Adverse Reactions: blurred vision, chest pain, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, fast or irregular heartbeat, headache, reddened skin, tremors, shortness of breath

Question 6

ropivacaine

Answer 6

Class:

Actions:

Adverse Effects:

Question 7

carboprost

Answer 7

abortifacient

Question 8

mifepristone

Answer 8

abortifacient

Question 9

methylergonovine

Answer 9

oxytocics

Question 10

STOP treatment for maternal hypotension after an epidural anesthesia

Answer 10

Stop infusion of Pitocin
Turn the client on the left side
Administer O2
If hypovolemia is present, Push IV fluids