Question

A client who is a gravida III, para III had a cesarean section 1 day ago. She is being treated prophylactically for endometritis. She is complaining of abdominal cramping at a level of 6 on pain level scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being the greatest amount of pain) and fears having her first bowel movement. These medications are prescribed and due now. Based on priority, in which order should the nurse administer the medications? Arrange the medications in the order that they should be administered. All options must be used. Drag the text in the left column to the correct order in the right column.

1. Prenatal vitamin 1 tablet orally daily
2. Docusate sodium (Colace) 100 mg orally
3. Ketorolac (Toradol) 30 mg by intravenous push over 3 minutes
4. Ampicillin sodium (Ampicillin) 1 g intravenous (IV) piggyback over 60 minutes

Answer 1

The medications for the post-cesarean section client should be administered starting with Ketorolac for pain, followed by Ampicillin for endometritis prophylaxis, then Docusate sodium to ease bowel movements, and finally the prenatal vitamin for postnatal care.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks about the order in which medications should be administered to a postpartum client who had a cesarean section and is experiencing significant abdominal cramping, with a prophylactic treatment for endometritis in place. Given the information provided, the following is the suggested order of medication administration:

1. Ketorolac (Toradol) 30 mg by intravenous push over 3 minutes to address the immediate concern of pain rated at 6 out of 10.
2. Ampicillin sodium (Ampicillin) 1 g intravenous (IV) piggyback over 60 minutes to continue prophylactic treatment for endometritis.
3. Docusate sodium (Colace) 100 mg orally to prevent straining during the first bowel movement, as the client has a fear associated with this.
4. Prenatal vitamin 1 tablet orally daily as part of ongoing postnatal care and nutrition.