With regard to systemic analgesics administered during labor, nurses should be aware that:

Systemic analgesics cross the maternal blood-brain barrier as easily as they do the fetal blood-brain barrier.

Effects on the fetus and newborn can include decreased alertness and delayed sucking

Intravenous (IV) patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) results in increased use of an analgesic

Intramuscular (M) administration is preferred over IV administration

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Systemic analgesics cross the maternal blood-brain barrier as easily as they do the fetal blood-brain barrier. While systemic analgesics do cross the placenta, they actually affect the fetus more readily than the mother because the fetal liver and kidneys are immature, making drug metabolism and excretion slower. This leads to prolonged effects on the newborn.

B. Effects on the fetus and newborn can include decreased alertness and delayed sucking. Opioid analgesics, such as fentanyl, meperidine, or morphine, can cause neonatal respiratory depression, reduced alertness, and difficulty initiating breastfeeding due to delayed sucking reflex. If administered too close to delivery, the newborn may require respiratory support or naloxone to reverse opioid effects.

C. Intravenous (IV) patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) results in increased use of an analgesic. PCA allows controlled dosing of pain medication, often leading to less total medication use because the patient receives smaller, more frequent doses rather than large, single doses. This helps maintain stable pain control without excessive sedation.

D. Intramuscular (IM) administration is preferred over IV administration. IV administration is preferred over IM because it provides faster pain relief and better dose control. IM injections have delayed absorption and an unpredictable effect, making IV the preferred route for labor analgesia.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Oral hypoglycemic medications. While some oral hypoglycemic agents, such as metformin or glyburide, are used in gestational diabetes, the first-line treatment is always dietary modification and exercise. Medications are only introduced if blood glucose levels remain uncontrolled with lifestyle changes.

B. Diet control and exercise. The initial treatment for gestational diabetes focuses on controlling blood glucose through dietary adjustments, portion control, and regular physical activity. If lifestyle modifications fail to maintain glucose levels within the target range, insulin or oral medications may be introduced.

C. Inhaled insulin. Inhaled insulin is not commonly used in pregnancy because its safety and efficacy for gestational diabetes have not been well established. Insulin therapy, if needed, is typically administered via subcutaneous injection rather than inhalation.

D. Regular insulin injections. Insulin therapy is considered if diet and exercise alone fail to control blood glucose levels. However, it is not the first-line treatment, as many women can successfully manage gestational diabetes without requiring insulin therapy.

A. Obtain equipment to start a 24-hour urine test on the patient. B. Obtain equipment for a manual pelvic exam. C. Prepare to draw blood for a hemoglobin and hematocrit. D. Obtain equipment for external electronic fetal heart rate monitoring. E. Prepare the patient for an ultrasound.

Correct Answer is ["C","D","E"]

Explanation

A. Obtain equipment to start a 24-hour urine test on the patient. A 24-hour urine test is not necessary for placenta previa. It is more commonly used for preeclampsia to assess proteinuria, which is unrelated to placenta previa.

B. Obtain equipment for a manual pelvic exam. A manual pelvic exam is contraindicated in placenta previa because it can cause further disruption of the placenta, leading to severe hemorrhage. Instead, diagnosis should be confirmed using ultrasound.

C. Prepare to draw blood for a hemoglobin and hematocrit. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels must be monitored due to the risk of maternal hemorrhage in placenta previa. Significant blood loss can lead to anemia and may require blood transfusions.

D. Obtain equipment for external electronic fetal heart rate monitoring. Continuous fetal monitoring is essential in placenta previa to assess for signs of fetal distress. External monitoring is preferred to avoid vaginal examinations, which could worsen bleeding.

E. Prepare the patient for an ultrasound. Ultrasound is the diagnostic test of choice for placenta previa. It helps determine the exact location of the placenta and confirms whether it is covering the cervix. A transabdominal ultrasound is performed first, followed by a transvaginal ultrasound if necessary.

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With regard to systemic analgesics administered during labor, nurses should be aware that:

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A woman who is 26 weeks pregnant has just found out that she has gestational diabetes. Which of the following therapies will most likely be ordered first for this patient?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The nurse is preparing for the admission of a 30 weeks' gestation patient experiencing vaginal bleeding with a suspected diagnosis of placenta previa. In anticipating the patient's needs, which of the following would be most appropriate for the nurse to include? Select all that apply.

Correct Answer is ["C","D","E"]

Explanation

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