LYCEUM-NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF NURSING

Related Learning Experience

Name of the Drug Classifications Indications Side Effects / Adverse Nursing Responsibilities
Effects

 Oxytocics Agents General: CNS:  Explain use and

Generic Name : Oxytocin  To induce or stimulate Subarachnoid hemorrhage, administration of drug
labor seizures. to patient and family
Brand Name : Pitocin
 Adults: CV:  Instruct patient
Initially, 0.5 to 1milliunit/minute arrhythmias, HTN, OVCs to promptly report
I.V. infusion. Increase rate by 1 GI: adverse reactions (site
or 2 milliunit/minute at 30-60 abruption, placentae, irritation, nausea,
minute intervals until normal tetanicuterine contractions, bleeding, blurred
contraction pattern is established. postpartumhemorrhage, vision, difficulty
Decrease rate when labor is uterinerupture, impaireduterine speaking, witching,
firmly established. Rates blood flow, pelvic swelling).
exceeding 9-10milliunits/minute hematoma,increased
are rarely required. uterinemotility.
Hematologic:
 To reduce postpartum afibrinogenemia, possibly
bleeding after expulsion related to postpartum
of placenta bleeding
 Adults:  Other:
10 to 40 units in1, 000 ml of D5 w anaphylaxis, death from
injection, lactated Ringer oxytocin induced water in
solution, or NSSI.V. infused at toxication, hypersensitivity
rate needed to sustain uterine reactions.
 contraction and control uterine FETAL
atony. Also, may give 10 units CNS:
I.M. after delivery of placenta. infant brain damage, seizure
CV:
 Incomplete, inevitable, bradycardia, arrhythmias,
or elective abortion PVCs.
 Adults: EENT:
10 units I.V. infusion at 10- Neonatal retinal hemorrhage.
20milliunits (20-40 drops) / Hepatic:
minute. Don’t exceed 30 neonatal jaundice
units in 12 hours Other:
lower apgar score at 5 minutes,
death.
Dosage Routes Contraindications
 Contraindicated with allergy to
500mg/tab Intravenous (IV) or acetaminophen.
Intramuscular (IM  Use cautiously with
impaired hepatic function,
chronic
alcoholism, pregnancy,
lactation