NR 327 Maternal-Child Nursing Drug Worksheet and Considerations
Exam |Questions and Answers |Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is preparing to administer oxytocin (Pitocin) for labor induction. What
is the most important assessment before increasing the infusion rate?
A. Maternal blood pressure
B. Maternal urinary output
C. Fetal heart rate and contraction pattern
D. Maternal deep tendon reflexes
Answer: C
Rationale: Oxytocin can cause tachysystole and fetal distress, so the nurse must monitor
the fetal heart rate and contraction frequency/duration closely before any titration.
2. Which medication is considered the first-line treatment for preventing and
treating postpartum hemorrhage?
A. Methylergonovine (Methergine)
B. Carboprost (Hemabate)
C. Misoprostol (Cytotec)
D. Oxytocin (Pitocin)
Answer: D
Rationale: Oxytocin is the first-line medication used after delivery to stimulate uterine
contractions and prevent postpartum hemorrhage.
,3. A client with preeclampsia is receiving Magnesium Sulfate. Which finding
should the nurse report immediately?
A. Deep tendon reflexes of 2+
B. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
C. Feeling of warmth and flushing
D. Urinary output of 40 mL/hr
Answer: B
Rationale: A respiratory rate below 12 breaths/min is a clinical sign of magnesium toxicity
and requires immediate intervention.
4. What is the primary purpose of administering Betamethasone (Celestone) to
a client in preterm labor?
A. To stop uterine contractions
B. To increase maternal blood pressure
C. To prevent neonatal sepsis
D. To promote fetal lung maturity
Answer: D
Rationale: Betamethasone is a corticosteroid given to pregnant women in preterm labor to
stimulate the production of surfactant in the fetal lungs.
5. Which medication is contraindicated for a postpartum client with a history of
asthma who is experiencing hemorrhage?
A. Oxytocin (Pitocin)
B. Carboprost (Hemabate)
C. Methylergonovine (Methergine)
D. Misoprostol (Cytotec)
Answer: B
Rationale: Carboprost (Hemabate) can cause severe bronchoconstriction and is
contraindicated in clients with a history of asthma.
, 6. A nurse is preparing to administer Methylergonovine (Methergine). Which
assessment finding would cause the nurse to withhold the drug?
A. Blood pressure of 150/94 mmHg
B. Pulse rate of 100 bpm
C. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
D. Uterine atony
Answer: A
Rationale: Methylergonovine is a vasoconstrictor and is contraindicated in clients with
hypertension or preeclampsia because it can cause a hypertensive crisis.
7. What is the purpose of Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment in a newborn?
A. To prevent neonatal cataracts
B. To treat active viral infections
C. To reduce intracranial pressure
D. To prevent ophthalmia neonatorum from gonorrhea/chlamydia
Answer: D
Rationale: Erythromycin ointment is legally required prophylaxis against infections that
could cause blindness if the mother has gonorrhea or chlamydia.
8. Vitamin K (Phytonadione) is administered to a newborn for which primary
reason?
A. To prevent hemorrhagic disease of the newborn
B. To boost the immune system
C. To stimulate liver enzyme production
D. To assist with the digestion of breast milk
Answer: A
Rationale: Newborns are born with a sterile gut and lack Vitamin K, which is necessary for
the synthesis of clotting factors. This prevents bleeding disorders.
Exam |Questions and Answers |Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is preparing to administer oxytocin (Pitocin) for labor induction. What
is the most important assessment before increasing the infusion rate?
A. Maternal blood pressure
B. Maternal urinary output
C. Fetal heart rate and contraction pattern
D. Maternal deep tendon reflexes
Answer: C
Rationale: Oxytocin can cause tachysystole and fetal distress, so the nurse must monitor
the fetal heart rate and contraction frequency/duration closely before any titration.
2. Which medication is considered the first-line treatment for preventing and
treating postpartum hemorrhage?
A. Methylergonovine (Methergine)
B. Carboprost (Hemabate)
C. Misoprostol (Cytotec)
D. Oxytocin (Pitocin)
Answer: D
Rationale: Oxytocin is the first-line medication used after delivery to stimulate uterine
contractions and prevent postpartum hemorrhage.
,3. A client with preeclampsia is receiving Magnesium Sulfate. Which finding
should the nurse report immediately?
A. Deep tendon reflexes of 2+
B. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
C. Feeling of warmth and flushing
D. Urinary output of 40 mL/hr
Answer: B
Rationale: A respiratory rate below 12 breaths/min is a clinical sign of magnesium toxicity
and requires immediate intervention.
4. What is the primary purpose of administering Betamethasone (Celestone) to
a client in preterm labor?
A. To stop uterine contractions
B. To increase maternal blood pressure
C. To prevent neonatal sepsis
D. To promote fetal lung maturity
Answer: D
Rationale: Betamethasone is a corticosteroid given to pregnant women in preterm labor to
stimulate the production of surfactant in the fetal lungs.
5. Which medication is contraindicated for a postpartum client with a history of
asthma who is experiencing hemorrhage?
A. Oxytocin (Pitocin)
B. Carboprost (Hemabate)
C. Methylergonovine (Methergine)
D. Misoprostol (Cytotec)
Answer: B
Rationale: Carboprost (Hemabate) can cause severe bronchoconstriction and is
contraindicated in clients with a history of asthma.
, 6. A nurse is preparing to administer Methylergonovine (Methergine). Which
assessment finding would cause the nurse to withhold the drug?
A. Blood pressure of 150/94 mmHg
B. Pulse rate of 100 bpm
C. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
D. Uterine atony
Answer: A
Rationale: Methylergonovine is a vasoconstrictor and is contraindicated in clients with
hypertension or preeclampsia because it can cause a hypertensive crisis.
7. What is the purpose of Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment in a newborn?
A. To prevent neonatal cataracts
B. To treat active viral infections
C. To reduce intracranial pressure
D. To prevent ophthalmia neonatorum from gonorrhea/chlamydia
Answer: D
Rationale: Erythromycin ointment is legally required prophylaxis against infections that
could cause blindness if the mother has gonorrhea or chlamydia.
8. Vitamin K (Phytonadione) is administered to a newborn for which primary
reason?
A. To prevent hemorrhagic disease of the newborn
B. To boost the immune system
C. To stimulate liver enzyme production
D. To assist with the digestion of breast milk
Answer: A
Rationale: Newborns are born with a sterile gut and lack Vitamin K, which is necessary for
the synthesis of clotting factors. This prevents bleeding disorders.
