Question

Which of the following nursing actions is important for safe administration of oxytocin?

1) Assess respirations and urine output.
2) Administer oxytocin parenterally as the primary IV.
3) Have calcium gluconate available as an antidote.
4) Palpate the uterus frequently.

Answer 1

For safe administration of oxytocin during childbirth, the most important nursing action is to palpate the uterus frequently to monitor labor's progress and adjust the drug dosage accordingly.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question you have about the administration of oxytocin during childbirth is important for ensuring the safety and health of the mother. When considering the safe administration of oxytocin, it is crucial to choose the action that closely monitors the mother's physiological response to the medication and the progress of labor. Among the options provided, the most important nursing action is to palpate the uterus frequently. This allows the nursing staff to monitor the strength and frequency of uterine contractions and to assess how labor is progressing, adjusting the oxytocin dosage as necessary to ensure effective and safe labor induction or augmentation.

While assessing respirations and urine output are general care procedures, they are not specific to oxytocin administration. Administering oxytocin as the primary IV without dilution is not a recommended practice as oxytocin is usually given as a controlled IV infusion to regulate dosage. Calcium gluconate is not an antidote for oxytocin; it is more commonly used for magnesium sulfate toxicity. Therefore, palpating the uterus frequently is the best practice to safeguard both the mother and the baby.