,1|Page
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is caring for a client in labor. The nurse reviews the physician’s prescriptions
and notes that the client has a prescription for butorphanol tartrate (Stadol). The nurse
understands that this medication
is prescribed for:
1. Pain relief
2. Increasing uterine contractions
3. Decreasing uterine contractions
4. Promoting fetal lung maturity
- ANSWER: 1
Rationale: The client in labor may be given parenteral analgesia during the first stage of labor, up
to 2 to 3 hours before the anticipated delivery. Butorphanol tartrate is a medication that may be
prescribed for
pain relief. “Increasing uterine contractions,” “decreasing uterine contractions,” and “promoting
fetal lung maturity” are not actions of this medication.
Test-Taking Strategy: Knowledge of the action of butorphanol tartrate is required to answer this
question. Remember that this medication is used for pain relief. Review the action of this
medication if you had difficulty with this question and are unfamiliar with this medication.
PTS: 1
DIF: Level of Cognitive Ability: Understanding
REF: Lehne, R. (2010). Pharmacology for nursing care (7th ed.). St. Louis: Saunders. OBJ:
Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
,2|Page
TOP: Content Area: Pharmacology
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process—Planning
2. The postpartum nurse is caring for a client with an epidural catheter in place for opioid
analgesic administration following cesarean birth. If the client develops respiratory depression
and requires naloxone (Narcan) as an antidote, the client may complain of which of the
following?
1. Increase in her pain level
2. Decrease in her pain level
3. Increase in the amount of itching from the opioid used in the epidural
4. Decrease in the amount of itching from the opioid used in the epidural
- ANSWER: 1
Rationale: Remember that opioids are used for epidural analgesia. Naloxone is an opioid
antagonist, which reverses the effects of opioids. If it is given, the client may complain of an
increase in her pain
level. Therefore “decrease in her pain level,” “increase in the amount of itching from the opioid
used in the epidural,” and “decrease in the amount of itching from the opioid used in the
epidural” are incorrect.
Test-Taking Strategy: To answer this question accurately, you must know that opioid analgesics
are the medications used with epidural analgesia to relieve pain. Therefore if naloxone is
administered as an antidote for an opioid analgesic, the client’s pain will increase. Review the
effects of naloxone if this question was difficult.
PTS: 1
DIF: Level of Cognitive Ability: Understanding
REF: Lehne, R. (2010). Pharmacology for nursing care (7th ed.). St. Louis: Saunders. OBJ:
Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
, 3|Page
TOP: Content Area: Pharmacology
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process—Assessment
3. A client experiencing preterm labor at the twenty-ninth week of gestation has been
admitted to the hospital. The client has a prescription to receive betamethasone (Celestone). The
nurse understands that the medication will do which of the following?
1. Prevent spontaneous delivery.
2. Stop the uterine contractions.
3. Promote maturation of the fetal lungs.
4. Accelerate the growth rate of the fetus.
- ANSWER: 3
Rationale: Betamethasone (Celestone) is classified as an anti-inflammatory and corticosteroid. It
increases the surfactant level and lung maturity in the fetus, which reduces the incidence of
respiratory distress syndrome. Delivery must be delayed for at least 48 hours after administration
of betamethasone to allow time for the lungs of the fetus to mature.
Test-Taking Strategy: Options that are comparable or alike are not likely to be correct. With this
in mind, eliminate “prevent spontaneous delivery” and “stop the uterine contractions.” Note the
strategic
words “twenty-ninth week of gestation.” Specific knowledge about the medication and
knowledge of the problems encountered by premature infants will assist in answering this
question. Review the action of this medication if this question was difficult.
PTS: 1
DIF: Level of Cognitive Ability: Understanding
REF: McKinney, E., James, S., Murray, S., & Ashwill, J. (2009). Maternal-child nursing (3rd
ed.). St. Louis: Saunders. OBJ: Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is caring for a client in labor. The nurse reviews the physician’s prescriptions
and notes that the client has a prescription for butorphanol tartrate (Stadol). The nurse
understands that this medication
is prescribed for:
1. Pain relief
2. Increasing uterine contractions
3. Decreasing uterine contractions
4. Promoting fetal lung maturity
- ANSWER: 1
Rationale: The client in labor may be given parenteral analgesia during the first stage of labor, up
to 2 to 3 hours before the anticipated delivery. Butorphanol tartrate is a medication that may be
prescribed for
pain relief. “Increasing uterine contractions,” “decreasing uterine contractions,” and “promoting
fetal lung maturity” are not actions of this medication.
Test-Taking Strategy: Knowledge of the action of butorphanol tartrate is required to answer this
question. Remember that this medication is used for pain relief. Review the action of this
medication if you had difficulty with this question and are unfamiliar with this medication.
PTS: 1
DIF: Level of Cognitive Ability: Understanding
REF: Lehne, R. (2010). Pharmacology for nursing care (7th ed.). St. Louis: Saunders. OBJ:
Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
,2|Page
TOP: Content Area: Pharmacology
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process—Planning
2. The postpartum nurse is caring for a client with an epidural catheter in place for opioid
analgesic administration following cesarean birth. If the client develops respiratory depression
and requires naloxone (Narcan) as an antidote, the client may complain of which of the
following?
1. Increase in her pain level
2. Decrease in her pain level
3. Increase in the amount of itching from the opioid used in the epidural
4. Decrease in the amount of itching from the opioid used in the epidural
- ANSWER: 1
Rationale: Remember that opioids are used for epidural analgesia. Naloxone is an opioid
antagonist, which reverses the effects of opioids. If it is given, the client may complain of an
increase in her pain
level. Therefore “decrease in her pain level,” “increase in the amount of itching from the opioid
used in the epidural,” and “decrease in the amount of itching from the opioid used in the
epidural” are incorrect.
Test-Taking Strategy: To answer this question accurately, you must know that opioid analgesics
are the medications used with epidural analgesia to relieve pain. Therefore if naloxone is
administered as an antidote for an opioid analgesic, the client’s pain will increase. Review the
effects of naloxone if this question was difficult.
PTS: 1
DIF: Level of Cognitive Ability: Understanding
REF: Lehne, R. (2010). Pharmacology for nursing care (7th ed.). St. Louis: Saunders. OBJ:
Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
, 3|Page
TOP: Content Area: Pharmacology
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process—Assessment
3. A client experiencing preterm labor at the twenty-ninth week of gestation has been
admitted to the hospital. The client has a prescription to receive betamethasone (Celestone). The
nurse understands that the medication will do which of the following?
1. Prevent spontaneous delivery.
2. Stop the uterine contractions.
3. Promote maturation of the fetal lungs.
4. Accelerate the growth rate of the fetus.
- ANSWER: 3
Rationale: Betamethasone (Celestone) is classified as an anti-inflammatory and corticosteroid. It
increases the surfactant level and lung maturity in the fetus, which reduces the incidence of
respiratory distress syndrome. Delivery must be delayed for at least 48 hours after administration
of betamethasone to allow time for the lungs of the fetus to mature.
Test-Taking Strategy: Options that are comparable or alike are not likely to be correct. With this
in mind, eliminate “prevent spontaneous delivery” and “stop the uterine contractions.” Note the
strategic
words “twenty-ninth week of gestation.” Specific knowledge about the medication and
knowledge of the problems encountered by premature infants will assist in answering this
question. Review the action of this medication if this question was difficult.
PTS: 1
DIF: Level of Cognitive Ability: Understanding
REF: McKinney, E., James, S., Murray, S., & Ashwill, J. (2009). Maternal-child nursing (3rd
ed.). St. Louis: Saunders. OBJ: Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
