A postpartum client has a fourth-degree perineal laceration. The nurse would expect which of the following medications to be ordered?
Select one:
Docusate sodium (Colace).
Bromocriptine (Parlodel).
Ferrous sulfate (Feosol).
Methylergonovine (Methergine).
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason: Docusate sodium (Colace). This is because docusate sodium is a stool softener that can prevent constipation and straining during defecation, which can aggravate or impair the healing of a perineal laceration. A fourth-degree perineal laceration is a severe tear that extends through the skin, muscles, perineal body, and anal sphincter into the rectal mucosa. It can occur during vaginal delivery due to factors such as fetal macrosomia, forceps use, or episiotomy.
Choice B Reason: Bromocriptine (Parlodel). This is an inappropriate medication for a postpartum client with a fourth- degree perineal laceration, as it has no effect on wound healing or pain relief. Bromocriptine is a dopamine agonist that can suppress lactation by inhibiting prolactin secretion. It is used for women who do not wish to breastfeed or who have medical contraindications to breastfeeding.
Choice C Reason: Ferrous sulfate (Feosol). This is an unnecessary medication for a postpartum client with a fourth- degree perineal laceration, unless she has iron deficiency anemia. Ferrous sulfate is an iron supplement that can treat or prevent anemia by increasing hemoglobin production and oxygen-carrying capacity. Anemia can occur in the postpartum period due to blood loss during delivery or poor nutritional intake during pregnancy.
Choice D Reason: Methylergonovine (Methergine). This is an irrelevant medication for a postpartum client with a fourth-degree perineal laceration, as it does not affect wound healing or pain relief. Methylergonovine is an ergot alkaloid that can stimulate uterine contractions and reduce postpartum bleeding. It is used for women who have uterine atony or hemorrhage.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason: Applying Vaseline or lotion to newborn to maximize light absorption. This is an incorrect answer that indicates a contraindicated and harmful intervention that can interfere with phototherapy. Applying Vaseline or lotion to newborn can create a barrier or a reflective surface that can reduce the exposure and penetration of light to the skin, which can decrease the efficacy of phototherapy. Applying Vaseline or lotion to newborn can also cause skin irritation, infection, or burns, as it can trap heat and moisture under the light source.
Choice B Reason: Reducing the amount of fluid intake to 8 ounces daily. This is an incorrect answer that suggests a detrimental and dangerous intervention that can impair phototherapy. Reducing the amount of fluid intake to 8 ounces daily can cause dehydration, hypoglycemia, or electrolyte imbalance in newborns, which can worsen jaundice and increase the risk of complications such as kernicterus (brain damage due to high bilirubin levels). Reducing the amount of fluid intake to 8 ounces daily can also decrease the excretion of bilirubin through urine or stool, which can counteract the effect of phototherapy.
Choice C Reason: Keeping the newborn in the supine position. This is an incorrect answer that implies an incomplete and inadequate intervention that can limit phototherapy. Keeping the newborn in the supine position is a nursing action that involves placing the newborn on their back, which can expose their anterior body surface to light.
However, keeping the newborn in the supine position alone is not sufficient for phototherapy, as it does not expose their posterior body surface to light. The nurse should also reposition the newborn frequently to expose different body parts to light, such as their sides or abdomen.
Choice D Reason: Feeding every 3 hours to maximize intake of fluids and output. This is because feeding every 3 hours is a nursing intervention that can enhance the effectiveness and safety of phototherapy, which is a treatment that uses blue or white light to reduce the level of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is produced when red blood cells are broken down, which can cause jaundice (yellowish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes) if it accumulates in excess. Phototherapy works by converting bilirubin into a water-soluble form that can be excreted through urine or stool. Feeding every 3 hours can increase the intake of fluids and calories, which can promote hydration, nutrition, and elimination of bilirubin.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason: Enhance uterine contractions. This is an incorrect answer that contradicts the effect of narcotic analgesia on uterine activity. Narcotic analgesia can reduce uterine contractions by decreasing maternal catecholamine levels, which can prolong labor or increase bleeding.
Choice B Reason: Be used in place of preoperative sedation. This is an irrelevant answer that does not apply to this scenario. Preoperative sedation is a medication given before surgery to reduce anxiety, pain, or nausea. Narcotic analgesia can be used as a preoperative sedative, but it is not related to labor or delivery.
Choice C Reason: Result in neonatal respiratory depression. This is because narcotic analgesia can cross the placenta and affect the fetal central nervous system, which can cause decreased respiratory drive, apnea, bradycardia, or hypotonia in the newborn. The risk of neonatal respiratory depression is higher when narcotic analgesia is administered close to delivery, as there is less time for placental clearance or maternal metabolism.
Choice D Reason: Prevent the need for anesthesia with an episiotomy. This is an inaccurate answer that overestimates the effect of narcotic analgesia on perineal pain. Narcotic analgesia can provide some relief of labor pain, but it does not block pain sensation completely or locally. An episiotomy is a surgical incision made in the perineum to enlarge the vaginal opening during delivery, which requires local anesthesia or regional anesthesia (such as epidural or spinal). Narcotic analgesia does not prevent or replace anesthesia with an episiotomy.
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