A first-time mother is concerned about the type of medications she will receive during labor.She is in a fair amount of pain and is nauseous.In addition,she appears to be very anxious.You explain that opioid analgesics are often used with sedatives because:
A) "The two together work the best for you and your baby."
B) "Sedatives help the opioid work better, and they also will assist you to relax and relieve your nausea."
C) "They work better together so you can sleep until you have the baby."
D) "This is what the doctor has ordered for you."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Sedatives can be used to reduce the nausea and vomiting that often accompany opioid use.In addition,some ataractics reduce anxiety and apprehension and potentiate the opioid analgesic affects.A potentiator may cause the two drugs to work together more effectively,but it does not ensure maternal or fetal complications will not occur.Sedation may be a related effect of some ataractics,but it is not the goal.Furthermore,a woman is unlikely to be able to sleep through transitional labor and birth."This is what the doctor has ordered for you" may be true,but it is not an acceptable comment for the nurse to make.

A First-Time Mother Is Concerned About the Type of Medications