A patient in labor with chronic back pain tells the nurse about taking a dose of hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Vicodin) for labor pain prior to coming to the hospital. What should the nurse prepare to do once the fetus is delivered?

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A typical prescription drug abused by women is hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Vicodin) because this is frequently prescribed for chronic back pain. The half-life of this drug is about 2 hours in addicted women. Even though it appears to have little effect on newborns, the newborn needs to be observed for both withdrawal and liver effects. The patient can receive other narcotic pain medication during labor. Other pain medication is not contraindicated for this patient. There are other, more safe pain medications that can be prescribed for the patient and fetus during labor.

A Patient in Labor with Chronic Back Pain Tells the Nurse