Question

A nursing student doing a rotation in labor and birth correctly identifies which medications as most commonly used for tocolysis? Select all that apply.

a) Terbutaline
b) Magnesium sulfate
c) Oxytocin
d) Indomethacin

Answer 1

The most common medications for tocolysis are Terbutaline and Magnesium sulfate, with Indomethacin also being used; however, Oxytocin is used to induce labor, not delay it.

Step-by-step explanation:

The medications most commonly used for tocolysis to delay premature labor are a) Terbutaline and b) Magnesium sulfate. Terbutaline is a beta-agonist that relaxes smooth muscles and can inhibit uterine contractions. Magnesium sulfate is believed to work by decreasing the amount of calcium available for muscle contractions, which in turn helps to relax the uterus. d) Indomethacin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), can also be used as a tocolytic to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, thus reducing uterine contractions. c) Oxytocin, on the other hand, is a hormone that stimulates contractions and is not used for tocolysis; instead, it is used to induce labor. Additionally, oxytocin plays a role in a positive feedback loop, with increased contractions leading to more oxytocin release, which further stimulates contractions in childbirth.