Maternity & Newborn Meds

Question 1

What supplement is given to a pregnant woman to prevent neural tube defects in the fetus?

Answer 1

Folic acid

May cause bright yellow urine.

Question 2

What supplement is given to a pregnant woman to prevent low hemoglobin and hematocrit?

Answer 2

Iron supplements

1. give with a source of vitamin C for best absorption
   
   • orange juice
   • strawberries
   • tomato juice
2. may cause constipation and dark-colored stool

Question 3

Indication:

magnesium sulfate

Answer 3

Given to prevent contractions (pre-eclampsia) and eclampsia (seizures) in a pregnant woman.

Question 4

Nursing considerations:

magnesium sulfate

Answer 4

• 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.

Question 5

Indication:

oxytocin

Answer 5

• a hormone to stimulate contractions for labor
• to prevent postpartum hemorrhage

Question 6

Nursing considerations:

oxytocin

Answer 6

• 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)

Question 7

Indication

Prostaglandins

Answer 7

To quicken labor by making the cervix softer and causing it to dilate and efface.

Question 8

Generic name:

Prostaglandin

Answer 8

Misoprostol intravaginal tablet.

Question 9

Indication and nursing considerations:

rho D immune globulin

Answer 9

• give to Rh negative pregnant woman
• give at 28 weeks of gestation and within 72 hours of delivery

Question 10

Indication and nursing considerations:

betamethasone

Answer 10

• given to pregnant women to prevent neonatal respiratory distress syndrome
• give between 28 and 32 weeks once daily as an IM shot

Question 11

Indication and nursing considerations:

lung surfactant

Answer 11

• given to premature newborns to prevent respiratory distress
• administered through an endotracheal tube

Question 12

Indication and nursing considerations:

phytonadione (vitamin K)

Answer 12

• to prevent bleeding in newborns
• give IM in vastus lateris muscle (thigh muscle)
• given within 1 hour of birth

Question 13

Indication and nursing considerations:

erythromycin ointment

Answer 13

• given to newborn to prevent gonorrhea and chlamydia
• give 1 hour after birth

Question 14

Nursing considerations:

hepatitis B vaccine

Answer 14

Give to newborn before leaving hospital as an IM shot.