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
- tomato juice
- 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.
What is the easiest way to quickly master your knowledge of maternity care, including prenatal care, labor, and newborn assessments?
Brainscape’s NCLEX-RN (7) Maternity Flashcards
This collection includes over 3,000 flashcards covering essential maternity content, perfectly aligned with the latest NCLEX-RN Test Plan to ensure you’re fully prepared for the exam.
