A patient who has just learned she is pregnant has stopped using a prescription medication that she takes for asthma because she doesn't want to harm her baby. What will the nurse tell her?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Asthmatic women who fail to take medication have a doubled risk of stillbirth; therefore, the nurse should encourage the patient to use her medications. Because the health of the fetus depends on the health of the mother, all drugs must be considered in light of the benefits of treatment versus the risks to the fetus. Asthma medications may have effects on the fetus, but the risk of stillbirth presents a greater risk. In this case, the patient needs to take the medication to treat her asthma and not wait until the second trimester.

A Patient Who Has Just Learned She Is Pregnant Has