Patient receiving Oxytocin (Pitocin) Flashcards
what is oxytocin (pitocin)?
It can cause or strengthen labor contractions during childbirth, and control bleeding after childbirth
why would you need to give this patient 1 on 1 care?
complications can occur
what are 3 MAJOR complication of oxytocin (pitocin) or any meds that induce labor?
- hypertonic labor
- fetal distress
- uterine rupture
what is a complete uterine rupture?
what will the mom report to you? S/S
when the tear goes through the uterine wall into the the peritoneal cavity (a natural c-section.. goes through the stomach)
- sudden sharp pain
- shooting pain
- “something just gave way”
If a placenta separates, the fetal heart tones will be__
absent
what is an incomplete uterine rupture?
S/S:
when the tear goes the uterine wall, but it stops at the peritoneum but not into the peritoneal cavity. (doesn’t go through the stomach)
- Internal bleeding
- patient may vomit
- patient may faint
- have hypotonic uterine contractions/lack of progress
- fetal heart tones may be lost
- patient may or may not feel pain
what is a VBAC?
Vaginal
Birth
After
C-section
Who is at the highest risk for uterine rupture?
others at risk?
VBAC moms;because the scar from they had their c-section is not as strong as normal tissue.
-people who have had any uterine trauma or surgery, malpresentation of baby, or forceps delivery.
during labor, we want a contraction rate of 1 every __ to __ minutes, with each lasting___ seconds.
2-3 min; 60 seconds
3 main reasons we must discontinue the oxytocin:
1- contractions are too often
2- contractions last longer than 90 seconds
3- fetal distress
because Oxytocin is piggy backed into a main IV fluid, what must we make sure we do not do when we DC it?
make sure not to DC the main IV fluid also
What position should the patient be while receiving oxytocin?
any position except supine/flat
what should be done with the pitocin infusion if any late decels occur?
stop it!
