A client in labor at 34 weeks of gestation is hospitalized and treated with intravenous magnesium sulfate for 18 to 20 hours. When the magnesium sulfate is discontinued, which oral drug will be prescribed for at-home continuation of the tocolytic effect?
A) Buccal oxytocin (Pitocin)
B) Terbutaline sulfate (Brethine)
C) Calcium gluconate (Calgonate)
D) Magnesium sulfate

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The client receiving decreasing doses of magnesium sulfate is often switched to oral terbutaline to maintain tocolysis. Pitocin increases the strength of contractions and is used to augment or stimulate labor. Buccal Pitocin dosing is uncontrollable. Calcium gluconate reverses magnesium sulfate toxicity. The drug should be available for complications of magnesium sulfate therapy. Magnesium sulfate is usually given intravenously or intramuscularly. The patient must be hospitalized for magnesium therapy because of the serious side effects of this drug.

A Client in Labor at 34 Weeks of Gestation Is