LYCEUM-NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF NURSING

Related Learning Experience

Name of the drug Classification
Therapeutic Class:
Oxytocin Oxytocics
Brand name: Pharmacologic Class:
Pitocin Exogenous hormones
Dosage Mechanism of Action
Adult: 10 to 40 units IV Causes potent and selective
infused to sustain uterine stimulation of uterine and
contraction or 10 units IM mammary gland smooth
after delivery of placenta muscle
DRUG STUDY
Indication
To reduce postpartum
bleeding after expulsion of
placenta
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients
hypersensitive to drug.
Contraindicated when vaginal
delivery isn't advised
(placenta previa, vasa previa,
invasive cervical carcinoma,
genital herpes), when
cephalopelvic disproportion is
present, or when delivery
requires conversion, as in
transverse lie.
Side Effects
Some side effects can be
serious. If you experience
any of these symptoms, call
your doctor immediately:
nausea
vomiting
rash
hives
itching
difficulty breathing or
swallowing
swelling of the face, throat,
tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet,
ankles, or lower legs
fast heartbeat
unusual bleeding
Adverse Effect
Maternal
CNS: subarachnoid
hemorrhage, seizures, coma
CV: arrhythmias, HTN,
PVCs, hypotension,
tachycardia
GI: nausea, vomiting
GU: abruptio placentae,
tetanic uterine contractions,
postpartum hemorrhage,
uterine rupture, impaired
Nursing Implications
All patients receiving
oxytocin IV must be under
continuous observation by
trained personnel who have a
thorough knowledge of the
drug and are qualified to
identify complications.
Discontinue oxytocin infusion
immediately if uterine
hyperactivity or fetal distress
occurs. Administer oxygen to
the mother. Mother and fetus
must be evaluated by the
responsible physician.
Drug is used to induce or
reinforce labor only when
pelvis is known to be
adequate, when vaginal
delivery is indicated, when
fetal maturity is assured, and
when fetal position is
favorable. Use drug only in
hospital where critical care
facilities and prescriber are
immediately available.
 Contraindicated in fetal
distress when delivery isn't
imminent, in prematurity, in
other obstetric emergencies,
and in patients with severe
toxemia or hypertonic uterine
patterns.
Name of Student: ___________________________________________________ Clinical Instructor: ____________________________________________
Level & Section: ___________________________________________________ Date: ___________________________________________________________
uterine blood flow, pelvic
hematoma, increased uterine
motility
Hematologic:
afibrinogenemia, possibly
related to postpartum
bleeding, pelvic hematoma
Other: anaphylaxis, death
from oxytocin-induced water
intoxication, hypersensitivity
reactions
Fetal or neonate
CNS: brain damage, seizures
CV: bradycardia, arrhythmias,
PVCs
EENT: neonatal retinal
hemorrhage
Hepatic: neonatal jaundice
Other: low Apgar scores at 5
minutes, death
 LYCEUM-NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF NURSING

Related Learning Experience

Name of the Drug Classification
Bethamethasone
Corticosteroid
Brand name:
Celestone
Dosage Mechanism of Action
Adult: 6mg/mL Potent glucocorticoid with
minimal to no
Children and adolescents: mineralocorticoid activity
0.02-0.03 mg/kg/day IM Controls or prevents
divided q8-12hr inflammation by controlling
rate of protein synthesis,
suppressing migration of
PMNs and fibroblasts,
reversing capillary
permeability, and stabilizing
lysosome at cellular level
DRUG STUDY
Indication
Used to prevent inflammation
and to treat conditions such as
allergic disorders, skin
conditions, ulcerative
colitis, arthritis, lupus,
breathing disorders and more
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to
betamethasone Idiopathic
thrombocytopenia purpura
Live or live, attenuated
vaccines, when
immunosuppressive doses of
corticosteroids required
Side Effects Nursing Implications
sleep problems (insomnia) If antifungal or antibiotic
mood changes combined with corticosteroid
acne fails to provide prompt
dry skin improvement, stop
thinning skin corticosteroid until infection
bruising or discoloration is controlled.
skin problems Enter
slow wound healing
increased sweating Systemic absorption is likely
headache with prolonged or extensive
dizziness, spinning sensation body surface treatment. Watch
nausea, stomach pain, for symptoms of HPA axis
bloating suppression, manifestations of
Adverse Effect Cushing syndrome,
Blurred Vision hyperglycemia, and
Increase Appetite glucosuria. If HPA axis
Indigestion suppression occurs, attempt to
Nervousness withdraw drug or substitute a
Itching less potent steroid. Withdraw
gradually.

Name of Student: ___________________________________________________ Clinical Instructor: ____________________________________________

Level & Section: ___________________________________________________ Date: ___________________________________________________________