Question

A client's husband drove her to the emergency room because she was having symptoms of preterm labor. What would you have wanted the admitting staff in the emergency department to do as their priority action?

a. Obtain a detailed medical history from the client.
b. Perform a thorough physical examination.
c. Administer tocolytic medications.
d. Monitor fetal heart rate.

Answer 1

Priority action for admitting staff in case of preterm labor should be to monitor the fetal heart rate. Oxytocin is the hormone responsible for labor contractions. Pitocin can be used to induce or augment labor if necessary.

Step-by-step explanation:

The priority action for the admitting staff in the emergency department when a client presents with symptoms of preterm labor should be to monitor fetal heart rate. This immediate assessment is crucial to determine the well-being of the fetus. While obtaining a medical history and performing a physical examination are important, they can occur simultaneously or immediately after ensuring the fetus's heart rate is within a normal range. Administering tocolytic medications is a subsequent intervention that may be considered by the healthcare provider after initial assessments and stabilization.

Oxytocin is the primary hormone responsible for contractions during labor. If labor stops or is insufficient, synthetic oxytocin, known as Pitocin, may be administered to induce or augment labor, ensuring the progression to the second stage of labor where the baby is expelled.