A nurse is administering terbutaline to a client who is at 31 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor.
Which of the following findings should the nurse monitor as an adverse effect of this medication?
Hypotension
Tachycardia
Hyperglycemia
Hypokalemia
The Correct Answer is B
Tachycardia.
Terbutaline is a medication that can be used to stop or delay preterm labor by relaxing the uterine muscles. However, it can also cause serious side effects for both the mother and the baby. One of the most common side effects of terbutaline is tachycardia, which means a fast or irregular heartbeat. This can lead to chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, and even cardiac arrhythmias or ischemia.
Therefore, the nurse should monitor the mother’s heart rate and rhythm closely when administering terbutaline.
Choice A is wrong because terbutaline does not cause hypotension, which means low blood pressure. In fact, terbutaline can increase blood pressure by constricting blood vessels.
Choice C is wrong because terbutaline does not cause hyperglycemia, which means high blood sugar. However, terbutaline can interfere with insulin secretion and glucose metabolism in some cases, especially in diabetic mothers.
Therefore, the nurse should monitor the mother’s blood sugar levels when administering terbutaline.
Choice D is wrong because terbutaline does not cause hypokalemia, which means low potassium levels in the blood. However, terbutaline can cause a temporary increase in potassium levels in the baby, which can affect the baby’s heart function.
Therefore, the nurse should monitor the baby’s heart rate and rhythm when administering terbutaline.
Normal ranges for heart rate are 60 to 100 beats per minute for adults and 120 to 160 beats per minute for fetuses.
Normal ranges for blood pressure are typically between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["B","C","D","E"]
Explanation
Magnesium sulfate IV infusion can cause various adverse effects such asflushing,headache,nauseaanddrowsiness.
These are common and expected side effects of this medication.
Choice A is wrong because magnesium sulfate IV infusion does not causediarrhea.Diarrhea is a possible side effect of oral magnesium sulfate, which is used as a laxative.
However, oral magnesium sulfate is not used to treat pre-term labor or prevent seizures.
Normal ranges of magnesium in the blood are 1.7 to 2.2 mg/dL for adults.
Magnesium sulfate IV infusion is used to treat hypomagnesemia (low levels of magnesium in the blood) or to prevent seizures in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia, eclampsia or toxemia.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Instruct the client to empty her bladder.This is because a full bladder can interfere with the insertion of the needle and increase the risk of injury to the bladder or the uterus.Emptying the bladder also reduces discomfort during the procedure.
Choice A is wrong because administering tocolytic medication to stop contractions is not necessary before amniocentesis.Tocolytic medication can have side effects and should only be used when there is a clear indication of preterm labor.
Choice C is wrong because obtaining informed consent from the client is not a nursing action, but a medical one.The nurse can assist in providing information and answering questions, but the final consent should be obtained by the doctor who will perform the procedure.
Choice D is wrong because monitoring fetal heart rate and activity is not a specific action before amniocentesis, but a routine part of prenatal care.Fetal heart rate and activity can be affected by many factors, such as maternal position, fetal sleep cycle, or maternal blood sugar level.
Monitoring them before amniocentesis does not provide any useful information for the procedure.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.