NCLEX - Drugs Used in Obstetrics(All answered
correctly)
Which drug will the health care provider prescribe to soften the cervix of a woman who is at 42
weeks of gestation?
a. Methylergonovine (Methergine)
b. Dinoprostone (Prepidil)
c. Betamethasone (Celestone)
d. Terbutaline (Brethine) correct answersANS: B - Dinoprostone is a natural chemical in the
body that causes uterine and gastrointestinal smooth muscle stimulation. It plays a role in
cervical softening and dilation unrelated to uterine muscle stimulation. It is used to start and
continue cervical ripening at term. Methergine is used to treat postpartum bleeding.
Betamethasone is used to enhance fetal lung development. Terbutaline is used to treat premature
labor.
For which reason will betamethasone IM be administered to the mother in premature labor?
a. To stop uterine contractions
b. To prevent precipitous labor
c. To stimulate lung maturity in the fetus
d. To stimulate prolactin to enhance breastfeeding correct answersANS: C - Glucocorticoids may
be administered IM to accelerate fetal lung maturation to minimize respiratory distress
syndrome. Tocolytic drugs are given to stop uterine contractions. Prolactin production and
release are triggered by pituitary hormone, estrogen, and progesterone.
A 26-year-old patient with preeclampsia is receiving IV magnesium sulfate. The 1400
assessment includes:
BP - 100/70 mm Hg
Respiration - 10
Fetal heart tone - 100/min
Urine output - 20 mL/hr
Absent patellar reflex
Which is the priority nursing action?
a. Decrease IV magnesium sulfate to half the dose and reassess the patient and fetus in 15
minutes.
b. Stop the IV magnesium sulfate and contact the health care provider.
c. Place the patient on her left side and administer oxygen.
d. Stop the IV magnesium sulfate and administer calcium gluconate 5 mEq IV over 3 minutes.
correct answersANS: D - The patient is exhibiting signs of magnesium sulfate toxicity, including
respiratory depression. The infusion should be stopped at once. The antidote, calcium gluconate,
should be administered.
, Which drug is administered after delivery to reduce the risk of postpartum hemorrhage after the
placenta has been delivered?
a. Oxytocin (Pitocin)
b. Magnesium sulfate
c. Vitamin K
d. Dopamine correct answersANS: A - Uterine stimulants, primarily oxytocin, given in low dose
infusions after delivery of the fetus and placenta, help stimulate firm uterine contractions to
reduce the risk of postpartum hemorrhage from an atonic uterus. Magnesium sulfate is given to
treat eclampsia and preeclampsia. Vitamin K is given to prevent hemorrhage. Dopamine is given
to treat hypotension.
A 36-week primigravida patient has been admitted to the unit with a blood pressure of 200/120
mm Hg, severe headache, and edema. Which medication does the nurse anticipate that the health
care provider will order?
a. Nifedipine (Procardia)
b. Furosemide (Lasix)
c. Magnesium sulfate
d. Terbutaline (Brethine) correct answersANS: C - Magnesium sulfate depresses the central
nervous system and blocks peripheral nerve transmission, which produces anticonvulsant effects
and smooth muscle relaxation. In cases of preeclampsia or eclampsia, magnesium sulfate is used
to control seizure activity. Hypertension, headache, and edema are signs of preeclampsia in a
pregnant woman. Calcium channel blockers, such as nifedipine, are sometimes given as tocolytic
agents. Furosemide is given for diuresis; it may be used in the treatment of hypertension, but not
eclampsia. Terbutaline is given as a tocolytic agent.
Which drug is administered when a patient is experiencing premature labor?
a. Magnesium sulfate
b. Oxytocin (Pitocin)
c. Levonorgestrel (Mirena)
d. Terbutaline (Brethine) correct answersANS: D - Terbutaline is a beta adrenergic receptor
stimulant, which acts primarily on the beta2 receptors. Stimulation of beta1 receptors produces
uterine relaxation and relaxation of the bronchial and vascular smooth muscle. In higher doses,
terbutaline will stimulate the beta1receptors, which raises heart rate. Magnesium sulfate is given
to treat eclampsia. Oxytocin is given to produce uterine contractions. Levonorgestrel is a
progestin given for contraception.
A patient is a gravida 1, Rh-negative woman at a 28 weeks gestation. The father of her child is
Rh positive. The mother is asking the nurse about the effect on her unborn child of RhoGAM
that has been ordered. What is the nurses best reply?
a. Your child will do well after birth once transfusions are administered.
b. If the baby is Rh negative at birth, he or she will need RhoGAM also.
correctly)
Which drug will the health care provider prescribe to soften the cervix of a woman who is at 42
weeks of gestation?
a. Methylergonovine (Methergine)
b. Dinoprostone (Prepidil)
c. Betamethasone (Celestone)
d. Terbutaline (Brethine) correct answersANS: B - Dinoprostone is a natural chemical in the
body that causes uterine and gastrointestinal smooth muscle stimulation. It plays a role in
cervical softening and dilation unrelated to uterine muscle stimulation. It is used to start and
continue cervical ripening at term. Methergine is used to treat postpartum bleeding.
Betamethasone is used to enhance fetal lung development. Terbutaline is used to treat premature
labor.
For which reason will betamethasone IM be administered to the mother in premature labor?
a. To stop uterine contractions
b. To prevent precipitous labor
c. To stimulate lung maturity in the fetus
d. To stimulate prolactin to enhance breastfeeding correct answersANS: C - Glucocorticoids may
be administered IM to accelerate fetal lung maturation to minimize respiratory distress
syndrome. Tocolytic drugs are given to stop uterine contractions. Prolactin production and
release are triggered by pituitary hormone, estrogen, and progesterone.
A 26-year-old patient with preeclampsia is receiving IV magnesium sulfate. The 1400
assessment includes:
BP - 100/70 mm Hg
Respiration - 10
Fetal heart tone - 100/min
Urine output - 20 mL/hr
Absent patellar reflex
Which is the priority nursing action?
a. Decrease IV magnesium sulfate to half the dose and reassess the patient and fetus in 15
minutes.
b. Stop the IV magnesium sulfate and contact the health care provider.
c. Place the patient on her left side and administer oxygen.
d. Stop the IV magnesium sulfate and administer calcium gluconate 5 mEq IV over 3 minutes.
correct answersANS: D - The patient is exhibiting signs of magnesium sulfate toxicity, including
respiratory depression. The infusion should be stopped at once. The antidote, calcium gluconate,
should be administered.
, Which drug is administered after delivery to reduce the risk of postpartum hemorrhage after the
placenta has been delivered?
a. Oxytocin (Pitocin)
b. Magnesium sulfate
c. Vitamin K
d. Dopamine correct answersANS: A - Uterine stimulants, primarily oxytocin, given in low dose
infusions after delivery of the fetus and placenta, help stimulate firm uterine contractions to
reduce the risk of postpartum hemorrhage from an atonic uterus. Magnesium sulfate is given to
treat eclampsia and preeclampsia. Vitamin K is given to prevent hemorrhage. Dopamine is given
to treat hypotension.
A 36-week primigravida patient has been admitted to the unit with a blood pressure of 200/120
mm Hg, severe headache, and edema. Which medication does the nurse anticipate that the health
care provider will order?
a. Nifedipine (Procardia)
b. Furosemide (Lasix)
c. Magnesium sulfate
d. Terbutaline (Brethine) correct answersANS: C - Magnesium sulfate depresses the central
nervous system and blocks peripheral nerve transmission, which produces anticonvulsant effects
and smooth muscle relaxation. In cases of preeclampsia or eclampsia, magnesium sulfate is used
to control seizure activity. Hypertension, headache, and edema are signs of preeclampsia in a
pregnant woman. Calcium channel blockers, such as nifedipine, are sometimes given as tocolytic
agents. Furosemide is given for diuresis; it may be used in the treatment of hypertension, but not
eclampsia. Terbutaline is given as a tocolytic agent.
Which drug is administered when a patient is experiencing premature labor?
a. Magnesium sulfate
b. Oxytocin (Pitocin)
c. Levonorgestrel (Mirena)
d. Terbutaline (Brethine) correct answersANS: D - Terbutaline is a beta adrenergic receptor
stimulant, which acts primarily on the beta2 receptors. Stimulation of beta1 receptors produces
uterine relaxation and relaxation of the bronchial and vascular smooth muscle. In higher doses,
terbutaline will stimulate the beta1receptors, which raises heart rate. Magnesium sulfate is given
to treat eclampsia. Oxytocin is given to produce uterine contractions. Levonorgestrel is a
progestin given for contraception.
A patient is a gravida 1, Rh-negative woman at a 28 weeks gestation. The father of her child is
Rh positive. The mother is asking the nurse about the effect on her unborn child of RhoGAM
that has been ordered. What is the nurses best reply?
a. Your child will do well after birth once transfusions are administered.
b. If the baby is Rh negative at birth, he or she will need RhoGAM also.
