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The nurse providing care for a woman with preterm labor who is receiving terbutaline would include which intervention to identify side effects of the drug?

a. Assessing deep tendon reflexes (DTRs)
b. Assessing for chest discomfort and palpitations
c. Assessing for bradycardia
d. Assessing for hypoglycemia

User Winnie
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Final answer:

The nurse should assess for chest discomfort and palpitations when monitoring a patient on terbutaline for preterm labor, as these are common side effects due to increased heart rate caused by this medication.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse providing care for a woman with preterm labor who is receiving terbutaline would include which intervention to identify side effects of the drug? The correct answer is b. Assessing for chest discomfort and palpitations. Terbutaline is a beta-adrenergic agonist commonly used to relax the uterus and prevent premature contractions. One of its side effects is increased heart rate, which can lead to sensations of palpitations or chest discomfort. These symptoms should be monitored because they can suggest excessive beta-adrenergic stimulation, which could be harmful to the mother. It is not primarily associated with bradycardia or hypoglycemia, making options c and d incorrect. While deep tendon reflexes (DTRs) could also be affected by medications in general, they are not a specific side effect of terbutaline typically requiring monitoring.

User Alfred Larsson
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