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

Answer and Explanation

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

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Indomethacin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that helps close the ductus arteriosus, a blood vessel connecting two arteries of the heart (aorta and pulmonary artery) in fetus.This drug is effective only among premature babies.

Choice B.Prostaglandin E1 is wrong because it is used to keep the ductus arteriosus open in some congenital heart defects that require surgery.

Choice C.Furosemide is wrong because it is a diuretic that reduces fluid retention and blood pressure, but does not affect the ductus arteriosus.

Choice D.Digoxin is wrong because it is a cardiac glycoside that strengthens the heart muscle contractions and regulates the heart rhythm, but does not affect the ductus arteriosus.

A. Betamethasone B. Magnesium sulfate C. Nifedipine D. Indomethacin

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Betamethasone is a corticosteroid that is given to pregnant women who are at risk of preterm delivery to enhance fetal lung maturity and prevent respiratory distress syndrome.It is usually given in two doses, 24 hours apart, and takes effect within 24 hours of administration.

Choice B.Magnesium sulfate is wrong because it is used to prevent seizures in women with severe preeclampsia or eclampsia, not to prevent respiratory distress syndrome.

Choice C.Nifedipine is wrong because it is a calcium channel blocker that is used to inhibit uterine contractions and prolong pregnancy in women with preterm labor, not to prevent respiratory distress syndrome.

Choice D.Indomethacin is wrong because it is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is used to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis and reduce uterine activity in women with preterm labor, not to prevent respiratory distress syndrome.However, it can also cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus in the fetus and should be avoided after 32 weeks of gestation.

Normal ranges for gestational age are 37 to 42 weeks.

Preterm labor is defined as regular uterine contractions with cervical changes.

View Question and Answer

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

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?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a pre-term newborn who has a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Which of the following medications should the nurse expect to administer to close the ductus arteriosus?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is admitting a client who is at 30 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor. Which of the following medications should the nurse anticipate administering to prevent fetal respiratory distress syndrome?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is teaching a client who is at risk for pre-term labor about the signs and symptoms to report to the provider. Which of the following should the nurse include in the teaching?

A nurse is reviewing the ultrasound report of a client who is at 31 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor. Which of the following findings indicates oligohydramnios?

A nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate therapy for a client who is in pre-term labor. Which of the following findings indicates that the therapy is successful?

A nurse is teaching a client who is at 27 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor about the signs and symptoms of true labor versus false labor. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who is in pre-term labor and has received indomethacin. Which of the following findings should the nurse monitor for as a potential complication of the medication?

A nurse is assessing a pre-term newborn who was born at 28 weeks of gestation. Which of the following findings indicates a possible diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)?

A nurse is assessing a pre-term newborn who has retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect to observe?

A nurse is evaluating the fetal heart rate tracing of a client who is in pre-term labor and receiving magnesium sulfate. The nurse should identify that which of the following patterns indicates a potential adverse effect of the medication on the fetus?

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?