A postpartum woman is ordered to receive oxytocin to stimulate the uterus to contract. Which of the following would be most important for the nurse to do?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Oxytocin is commonly administered as an IV infusion piggybacked into a primary line to control the rate of administration and ensure the medication is delivered in a controlled manner to stimulate uterine contractions. Administering it as an IV bolus could lead to too rapid uterine contractions, which can be dangerous. Giving oxytocin as a vaginal or rectal suppository is not a standard method of administration for postpartum uterine stimulation. Withholding the drug if the woman is hypertensive is not the most important action listed, as oxytocin's primary concern in this context is to stimulate uterine contractions to prevent hemorrhage, and its administration would be carefully considered even in hypertensive patients.

A Postpartum Woman Is Ordered to Receive Oxytocin to Stimulate