INTRODUCTORY CLINICAL
PHARMACOLOGY
4. The nurse is preparing to administer a prescribed drug to help prevent hemorrhage
caused by uterine atony. Which drug would the nurse most likely administer? Select all
that apply.
A) Carboprost (Hemabate)
B) Indomethacin (Indocin)
C) Methylergonovine (Methergine)
D) Terbutaline (Brethine) E) Misoprostol (Cytotec) Answer: A, C, E Response:
Carboprost (Hemabate), methylergonovine (Methergine), misoprostol (Cytotec), and
ergonovine (Ergotrate) are used postpartum to prevent hemorrhage caused by uterine
atony. Indomethacin and terbutaline are used as tocolytics.
5. A nurse prepares to administer oxytocin (Pitocin) intramuscularly during the third stage
of labor for which of the following reasons? Select all that apply.
A) Production of uterine contractions
B) Stimulation of milk ejection
C) Control of postpartum bleeding
D) Initiation of labor
E) Control of postpartum hemorrhage Answer: A, C, E Response:
Oxytocin (Pitocin) may be given intramuscularly during the third stage of labor to
produce uterine contractions and control postpartum bleeding and hemorrhage.
6. A nurse administering oxytocin (Pitocin) to a client should monitor the client for which
of the following? Select all that apply.
A) Water intoxication
B) Diarrhea
C) Uterine rupture
D) Headache
E) Cardiac arrhythmias Answer: A, C, E Response:
A nurse should monitor a client receiving oxytocin (Pitocin) for the following adverse
reactions: fetal bradycardia, uterine rupture, uterine hypertonicity, nausea, vomiting,
cardiac arrhythmias, and anaphylactic reactions. Serious water intoxication (fluid
overload, fluid volume excess) may occur, particularly when the drug is administered by
continuous infusion and the patient is receiving fluids by mouth.
7. A client is receiving methylergonovine (Methergine). After administering the drug, the
nurse would be alert for which of the following? Select all that apply.
A) Chest pain
B) Hypoglycemia
C) Increase in blood pressure
D) Diarrhea
E) Water intoxication Answer: A, C, D Response:
Adverse reactions associated with methylergonovine include temporary chest pain,
hypertension, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and headache.
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, INTRODUCTORY CLINICAL
PHARMACOLOGY
8. A nurse understands that methylergonovine (Methergine) should not be administered to
which client because excessive vasoconstriction may result? Select all that apply.
A) Client who is a heavy smoker
B) Client taking a diuretic
C) Client receiving insulin
D) Client taking an antihypertensive
E) Client taking a vasopressor Answer: A, E Response:
When methylergonovine (Methergine) is administered concurrently with vasopressors or
to clients who are heavy smokers, excessive vasoconstriction may result.
9. Before beginning an IV infusion of oxytocin (Pitocin) to induce labor, the nurse obtains
an obstetric history that includes which of the following? Select all that apply.
A) Parity
B) Stillbirths
C) Abortions
D) Previous obstetric problems
E) Type of labor Answer: A, B, C, D, E Response:
Before beginning an IV infusion of oxytocin (Pitocin) to induce labor, the nurse obtains
an obstetric history that includes parity, gravidity, previous obstetric problems, type of
labor, stillbirths, abortions, and live-birth infant abnormalities.
10. Immediately before starting an IV infusion of oxytocin (Pitocin), the nurse assesses
which of the following? Select all that apply.
A) Client's blood pressure
B) Fetal heart rate
C) Client's blood glucose
D) Client's temperature
E) Client's respiratory rate Answer: A, B, E Response:
Immediately before starting an IV infusion of oxytocin (Pitocin), the nurse assesses the
fetal heart rate and the client's blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rate.
11. After administering an injection of oxytocin (Pitocin), the nurse continues to assess
which of the following? Select all that apply.
A) Blood pressure
B) Blood glucose
C) Pulse
D) Temperature
E) Respiratory rate Answer: A, C, E Response:
After an injection of oxytocin (Pitocin), during ongoing assessment the nurse monitors
the following: the client's blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rate.
Page 3
PHARMACOLOGY
4. The nurse is preparing to administer a prescribed drug to help prevent hemorrhage
caused by uterine atony. Which drug would the nurse most likely administer? Select all
that apply.
A) Carboprost (Hemabate)
B) Indomethacin (Indocin)
C) Methylergonovine (Methergine)
D) Terbutaline (Brethine) E) Misoprostol (Cytotec) Answer: A, C, E Response:
Carboprost (Hemabate), methylergonovine (Methergine), misoprostol (Cytotec), and
ergonovine (Ergotrate) are used postpartum to prevent hemorrhage caused by uterine
atony. Indomethacin and terbutaline are used as tocolytics.
5. A nurse prepares to administer oxytocin (Pitocin) intramuscularly during the third stage
of labor for which of the following reasons? Select all that apply.
A) Production of uterine contractions
B) Stimulation of milk ejection
C) Control of postpartum bleeding
D) Initiation of labor
E) Control of postpartum hemorrhage Answer: A, C, E Response:
Oxytocin (Pitocin) may be given intramuscularly during the third stage of labor to
produce uterine contractions and control postpartum bleeding and hemorrhage.
6. A nurse administering oxytocin (Pitocin) to a client should monitor the client for which
of the following? Select all that apply.
A) Water intoxication
B) Diarrhea
C) Uterine rupture
D) Headache
E) Cardiac arrhythmias Answer: A, C, E Response:
A nurse should monitor a client receiving oxytocin (Pitocin) for the following adverse
reactions: fetal bradycardia, uterine rupture, uterine hypertonicity, nausea, vomiting,
cardiac arrhythmias, and anaphylactic reactions. Serious water intoxication (fluid
overload, fluid volume excess) may occur, particularly when the drug is administered by
continuous infusion and the patient is receiving fluids by mouth.
7. A client is receiving methylergonovine (Methergine). After administering the drug, the
nurse would be alert for which of the following? Select all that apply.
A) Chest pain
B) Hypoglycemia
C) Increase in blood pressure
D) Diarrhea
E) Water intoxication Answer: A, C, D Response:
Adverse reactions associated with methylergonovine include temporary chest pain,
hypertension, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and headache.
Page 2
, INTRODUCTORY CLINICAL
PHARMACOLOGY
8. A nurse understands that methylergonovine (Methergine) should not be administered to
which client because excessive vasoconstriction may result? Select all that apply.
A) Client who is a heavy smoker
B) Client taking a diuretic
C) Client receiving insulin
D) Client taking an antihypertensive
E) Client taking a vasopressor Answer: A, E Response:
When methylergonovine (Methergine) is administered concurrently with vasopressors or
to clients who are heavy smokers, excessive vasoconstriction may result.
9. Before beginning an IV infusion of oxytocin (Pitocin) to induce labor, the nurse obtains
an obstetric history that includes which of the following? Select all that apply.
A) Parity
B) Stillbirths
C) Abortions
D) Previous obstetric problems
E) Type of labor Answer: A, B, C, D, E Response:
Before beginning an IV infusion of oxytocin (Pitocin) to induce labor, the nurse obtains
an obstetric history that includes parity, gravidity, previous obstetric problems, type of
labor, stillbirths, abortions, and live-birth infant abnormalities.
10. Immediately before starting an IV infusion of oxytocin (Pitocin), the nurse assesses
which of the following? Select all that apply.
A) Client's blood pressure
B) Fetal heart rate
C) Client's blood glucose
D) Client's temperature
E) Client's respiratory rate Answer: A, B, E Response:
Immediately before starting an IV infusion of oxytocin (Pitocin), the nurse assesses the
fetal heart rate and the client's blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rate.
11. After administering an injection of oxytocin (Pitocin), the nurse continues to assess
which of the following? Select all that apply.
A) Blood pressure
B) Blood glucose
C) Pulse
D) Temperature
E) Respiratory rate Answer: A, C, E Response:
After an injection of oxytocin (Pitocin), during ongoing assessment the nurse monitors
the following: the client's blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rate.
Page 3
