A pregnant patient is being induced with oxytocin, which has been infusing for 1 hour. The initial rate was 6 milliunits/min, and the rate now is 18 milliunits/min. The nurse notes regular contractions occurring every 3 minutes, each lasting 35 seconds. The nurse will:
A) increase the rate of infusion by 1 to 2 milliunits/min every 15 to 40 minutes.
B) increase the rate of infusion by 3 to 6 milliunits/min every 15 to 40 minutes.
C) interrupt the infusion and continue to monitor the patient before restarting.
D) interrupt the infusion and notify the provider of potential oxytocin toxicity.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This patient is being induced with a high-dose regimen of oxytocin, which starts at 6 milliunits/min and is increased by 3 to 6 milliunits/min every 15 to 40 minutes. The frequency and rate of her contractions are within normal limits, so the nurse can continue to increase the rate by 3 to 6 milliunits/min every 15 to 40 minutes until contractions last longer than 1 minute or occur more frequently than every 2 to 3 minutes. Increasing the rate of infusion by 1 to 2 milliunits/min every 15 to 40 minutes is part of the low-dose regimen. Because the frequency and duration of contractions have not reached optimum level, there is no need to interrupt the infusion. There are no signs of oxytocin toxicity.

A Pregnant Patient Is Being Induced with Oxytocin, Which Has