Pharmacology Review NCLEX

Question 1

The nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving oxytocin to induce labor. Which assessment findings should cause the nurse to immediately discontinue to oxytocin infusion? Select all that apply.

1. Fatigue
2. Drowsiness
3. Uterine Hyperstimulation
4. Late decelerations of the fetal heart rate
5. Early decelerations of the fetal heart rate

Answer 1

3. Uterine Hyperstimulation
4. Late decelerations of the fetal heart rate

Oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions, and is a pharmacological method to induce labor. Late decelerations, a nonreassuring fetal heart rate pattern, is an ominous sign indicating fetal distress. Oxytocin infusion must be stopped when any signs of uterine hyperstimulation, late decelerations, or other adverse effects occur. Some HCP prescribe the administration of oxytocin in 10-minute pulsed infusions rather than an a continuous infusion. This pulsed method, which is more like endogenous secretion of oxytocin, is reported to be effective for labor induction and requires significantly less oxytocin use. Drowsiness and fatigue may be caused by the labor experience. Early decelerations of the fetal heart rate are a reassuring sign and do not indicate fetal distress.