Reference no: EM133794777

Question

Oxytocin Dosage Error Among Perinatal Patients The human body is incredible when responding to the birth of a child. Hormones kick in, the birthing canal dilates, and the body prepares itself for one of the most intense events it may possibly go through. Some women are given the drug oxytocin to help progress their labor. Oxytocin is a high alert medication, having a heightened risk of causing substantial patient harm when misused. The errors that occur with administering IV oxytocin are as follows; dosage is not being given at the appropriate time of when the mother is contracting (uterus tachysystole) and or given before the gestational age of 39 weeks. To prevent fetal and mother health decline, communication between clinicians and nurses need to be clear as well as concise. Assessment of uterine contractions as well as implementation of protocols regarding decreasing or discontinuing administration of oxytocin would greatly increase the safety of the patient and the fetus. References Beckmann, Claudia, PhD, RN, CNM, APN, Cannella, Barbara.