Final answer:
A laboring woman should be told that an opioid antagonist reverses the effects of opioids such as respiratory depression, and does not enhance pain relief, induce labor, or promote sleep. Naloxone is an example of an opioid antagonist.
Step-by-step explanation:
If an opioid antagonist is administered to a laboring woman, she should be told that it reverses the effects of opioids. Opioids can provide pain relief during labor through their analgesic effects, and sometimes in higher doses, they may induce drowsiness and even loss of consciousness due to their narcotic properties. An opioid antagonist, such as Naloxone, is a medication that binds to the opioid receptors but does not activate them. Instead, it can block or reverse the effects of other opioids.
It does not enhance pain relief, induce labor, or promote sleep. Naloxone might be used to reverse the respiratory depression caused by excessive opioid intake, ensuring the safety of both the mother and the fetus. It is important to differentiate the effects of opioids and opioid antagonists from other compounds related to labor, such as oxytocin and prostaglandins. These compounds are involved in inducing and strengthening labor contractions but are not directly influenced by opioid antagonists like Naloxone.