Contractions Cease
When a patient presents with preterm labor symptoms, the nurse will have to be prepared to perform assessments and diagnostics. The patient has not received any prenatal care, meaning she may not be knowledgeable of the dangers and symptoms of preterm labor, including what to do if preterm labor arises. The nurse will need to assess the patient’s psychosocial and emotional status, as this can cause effects on the fetus and outcome of preterm labor. (Lowdermilk, Perry, & Cashion, 2010) The patient is an adolescent, the self-concept of this patient is still being altered as she is comparing herself to her peers; the body image of the patient may be of concern and is something the nurse can discuss with patient at the appropriate …show more content…
(Lowdermilk, Perry, & Cashion, 2010) Preparation of medications will be executed to administer in order to cease the contractions, including Magnesium Sulfate which is a tocolytic used to relax the smooth muscles of the uterus which can help suppress the contractions. (Sommer, et al., 2013) Tocolytic therapy is used to stop preterm labor for at least forty eight hours, giving the patient enough time to receive corticosteroids to help mature lung development in the fetus in instances of emergency deliveries. (Witcher, 2002) The nurse should assess for skin integrity for any tenting, dry/pink mucous membranes and a urinalysis to check for dehydration; dehydration can stimulate the release of oxytocin which activates uterine contractions. (Witcher, 2002) A diagnosis for a preterm labor patient would be risk for imbalanced fluid volume related to administration of tocolytics to suppress preterm labor; the nurse will need to monitor the patient’s intake and output to assess for renal function and fluid status. (Lowdermilk, Perry, & Cashion, …show more content…
Although there are risks associated with bed rest, including thrombus formation, bed rest should be educated that the patient is able to get up to use the restroom and to shower, other than that the patient will need family support to help maintain compliance of bed rest (Lowdermilk, Perry, & Cashion, 2010) Sexual activity is not recommended, because release of semen into the vagina can stimulate oxytocin release which in return stimulates uterine contractions, nothing in vagina should be recommended for a patient being discharged home with preterm labor symptoms. (Lowdermilk, Perry, & Cashion, 2010) Since this is a lifestyle modification, a nursing diagnosis could be assigned to this patient for interrupted family processes related to the limitations on activity associated with preterm labor contractions; the nurse may need to make referrals and consultations to help the family with the ease of this modification. (Lowdermilk, Perry, & Cashion,
When a patient presents with preterm labor symptoms, the nurse will have to be prepared to perform assessments and diagnostics. The patient has not received any prenatal care, meaning she may not be knowledgeable of the dangers and symptoms of preterm labor, including what to do if preterm labor arises. The nurse will need to assess the patient’s psychosocial and emotional status, as this can cause effects on the fetus and outcome of preterm labor. (Lowdermilk, Perry, & Cashion, 2010) The patient is an adolescent, the self-concept of this patient is still being altered as she is comparing herself to her peers; the body image of the patient may be of concern and is something the nurse can discuss with patient at the appropriate …show more content…
(Lowdermilk, Perry, & Cashion, 2010) Preparation of medications will be executed to administer in order to cease the contractions, including Magnesium Sulfate which is a tocolytic used to relax the smooth muscles of the uterus which can help suppress the contractions. (Sommer, et al., 2013) Tocolytic therapy is used to stop preterm labor for at least forty eight hours, giving the patient enough time to receive corticosteroids to help mature lung development in the fetus in instances of emergency deliveries. (Witcher, 2002) The nurse should assess for skin integrity for any tenting, dry/pink mucous membranes and a urinalysis to check for dehydration; dehydration can stimulate the release of oxytocin which activates uterine contractions. (Witcher, 2002) A diagnosis for a preterm labor patient would be risk for imbalanced fluid volume related to administration of tocolytics to suppress preterm labor; the nurse will need to monitor the patient’s intake and output to assess for renal function and fluid status. (Lowdermilk, Perry, & Cashion, …show more content…
Although there are risks associated with bed rest, including thrombus formation, bed rest should be educated that the patient is able to get up to use the restroom and to shower, other than that the patient will need family support to help maintain compliance of bed rest (Lowdermilk, Perry, & Cashion, 2010) Sexual activity is not recommended, because release of semen into the vagina can stimulate oxytocin release which in return stimulates uterine contractions, nothing in vagina should be recommended for a patient being discharged home with preterm labor symptoms. (Lowdermilk, Perry, & Cashion, 2010) Since this is a lifestyle modification, a nursing diagnosis could be assigned to this patient for interrupted family processes related to the limitations on activity associated with preterm labor contractions; the nurse may need to make referrals and consultations to help the family with the ease of this modification. (Lowdermilk, Perry, & Cashion,