Narcotic analgesia is administered to a laboring client at 10:00 a.m. The infant is delivered at 12:30 p.m. What would the nurse anticipate that the narcotic analgesia could do?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Narcotic analgesia administered close to the time of delivery can cross the placental barrier and affect the newborn, potentially causing neonatal respiratory depression. This is because narcotics can depress the central nervous system, including the respiratory center in the brainstem, leading to decreased respiratory effort in the newborn.

Narcotic Analgesia Is Administered to a Laboring Client at 10:00