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.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
All of the above.The nurse should include all of these signs and symptoms in the teaching as they may indicate pre-term labor.Pre-term labor occurs when regular contractions begin to open the cervix before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Choice A is wrong because decreased fetal movement is not a normal sign of pre-term labor, but it may indicate fetal distress or other complications.
Choice B is wrong because increased vaginal discharge is not a normal sign of pre-term labor, but it may indicate infection or rupture of membranes.
Choice C is wrong because pelvic pressure is not a normal sign of pre-term labor, but it may indicate cervical dilation or descent of the fetus.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Decreased frequency and intensity of contractions indicates that the client’s condition is improving.Preterm labor occurs when regular contractions result in the opening of your cervix before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
If preterm labor can’t be stopped, your baby will be born early and may have health problems.
Choice B is wrong because increased cervical dilation and effacement means that the cervix is thinning and opening more, which are signs of labor progression.
Choice C is wrong because increased amount and color of vaginal discharge may indicate infection, bleeding, or rupture of membranes, which are complications of preterm labor.
Choice D is wrong because decreased fetal heart rate variability means that the baby’s heart rate is not changing much, which may indicate fetal distress or hypoxia.A normal fetal heart rate variability is between 6 and 25 beats per minute.
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