A patient has just acknowledged that she is 20 weeks pregnant and confides to the nurse that she has a daily heroin habit. The nurse discusses treatment options for the patient. Which patient statement requires follow-up?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Pregnant women who use heroin are often prescribed an alternative drug such as methadone, a synthetic opiate. Methadone can be taken orally once daily and is long-acting, providing consistent blood levels to decrease the adverse fetal effects of wide swings in blood levels found with heroin use. Methadone also reduces the risk of infections from contaminated needles and drug-seeking behavior, such as prostitution. At therapeutic levels, it does not produce the euphoria or sedation of heroin and allows the woman to have a relatively normal lifestyle. The woman who receives a daily dose of methadone in a drug treatment program is more likely to receive prenatal care. However, the newborn must withdraw from methadone after birth.

A Patient Has Just Acknowledged That She Is 20 Weeks