ob pharm

Question 1

tocolytic agents

Answer 1

medications used to STOP: uterine contractionsDELAY: preterm birth

Question 2

tocolytic agents: general criteria

Answer 2

• gestational age 20 - 34 weeks- documented preterm labor- maternal consent- benefits: decreased neonatal morbidity and mortality

Question 3

tocolytic agents: absolute contraindications

Answer 3

• fetal death- fetal anomalies incompatible with life- fetal compromise warranting immediate delivery- chorioamnionitis- severe hemorrhage- severe chronic htn and/or preeclampsia

Question 4

tocolytic agents: relative contraindications

Answer 4

• cervical dilation > 4 cm- ruptured membranesPROVIDER DEPENDENT

Question 5

cervical ripening

Answer 5

• softening and effacement- rearrangement of collagen, elastin, smooth muscle cells- dilation (caused by degradation of collagen by proteolytic enzymes)

Question 6

utertonic/oxytocic

Answer 6

enhance or stimulate uterine contractions

Question 7

ergot alkaloid

Answer 7

• derived from a fungus - act by direct smooth-muscle-cell receptor stimulation- not used during labor: can cause tetanic contractions resulting in fetal hypoxia and rupture of uterus- uterus can become sensitive to these drugs- postpartum: effective in the prevention/control of PPH, promotion of uterine involutionMETHERGINE!

Question 8

ergotism

Answer 8

toxicity of ergot alkaloids/s: pain in arms, legs, lower back; numbness, cold hands/feet, muscular weakness, diarrhea, hallucinations, seizure, hypercoagulable blood