Maternity & Newborn Meds Flashcards
Review the most common maternity and newborn meds, side effects, and nursing considerations.
What supplement is given to a pregnant woman to prevent neural tube defects in the fetus?
folic acid - may cause bright yellow urine.
What supplement is given to a pregnant woman to prevent low hemoglobin and hematocrit?
Iron supplements
- give with a source of vitamin C for best absorption
- orange juice
- strawberries
- may cause constipation and dark-colored stool
Indication:
magnesium sulfate
Given to prevent contractions (pre-eclampsia) and eclampsia (seizures) in a pregnant woman.
Nursing considerations:
magnesium sulfate
- monitor urine output, level of consciousness, and deep tendon reflexes
- monitor blood pressure
- keep calcium gluconate available (antidote)
Magnesium is controlled by the kidneys, can cause sedation and controls skeletal muscles.
Indication:
oxytocin
- a hormone to stimulate contractions for labor
- to prevent postpartum hemorrhage
Nursing considerations:
oxytocin
- don’t increase med if contractions are 2 - 3 minutes apart and last 60 seconds long
- stop med if contractions are < 2 minutes apart or > 90 seconds long or if fetal distress is noted
- count pads to assess for bleeding
- keep magnesium sulfate available (antidote)
Indication
Prostaglandins
To quicken labor by making the cervix softer and causing it to dilate and efface.
Generic name:
Prostaglandin
Misoprostol intravaginal tablet
Indication and nursing considerations:
rho D immune globulin
- give to Rh negative pregnant woman
- give at 28 weeks of gestation and within 72 hours of delivery
Indication and nursing considerations:
betamethasone
- given to pregnant women to prevent neonatal respiratory distress syndrome
- give between 28 and 32 weeks once daily as an IM shot
Indication and nursing considerations:
lung surfactant
- given to premature newborns to prevent respiratory distress
- administered through an endotracheal tube
Indication and nursing considerations:
phytonadione (vitamin K)
- to prevent bleeding in newborns
- give IM in vastus lateris muscle (thigh muscle)
- given within 1 hour of birth
Indication and nursing considerations:
erythromycin ointment
- given to newborn to prevent gonorrhea and chlamydia
- give 1 hour after birth
Nursing considerations:
hepatitis B vaccine
Give to newborn before leaving hospital as an IM shot