Included In This Lesson
Study Tools
Outline
Generic Name
oxytocin
Trade Name
Pitocin
Indication
labor induction, postpartum bleeding
Action
stimulates uterine smooth muscle
Therapeutic Class
hormones
Pharmacologic Class
oxytocics
Nursing Considerations
• can cause ICH in fetus
• can cause asphyxia in fetus
• may cause coma and seizures in mother
• may cause painful contractions
• assess fetus
• assess contractions
• monitor blood pressure
• assess maternal electrolytes
• may cause uterine tetany
Transcript
Hey guys, let’s take a look at oxytocin. Also known as Pitocin. This is an IV medication, as you can see here. So the therapeutic class, or how oxytocin works in the body is it is a hormone while the pharmacologic class or the chemical effect of oxytocin is an oxytocin agent.
So oxytocin works because it simulates uterine smooth muscle and is indicated for labor induction as well as for postpartum bleeding. So some of the side effects that we see with oxytocin are things like uterine te headache, tachycardia, and sometimes nausea and vomiting. So a few nursing considerations for oxytocin. It’s important to note that there are some concerns for the fetus, with oxytocin, including it may cause intracranial Ridge in the fetus, as well as asphyxia. Be sure to assess the fetus as well as the contractions and maternal electrolytes in the mother. It may cause seizures and coma. Be sure to monitor the blood pressure of the patient while receiving oxytocin and teach the patient that with this drug, there may be some painful contractions guys. Oxytocin does have an antidiuretic effect. So ends and outs need to be monitored closely, especially when the patient is taking in a lot of fluid. There actually have been cases of water intoxication because this antidiuretic effect of oxytocin. That’s it for oxytocin or Pitocin now go out and be your best self today. And as always happy nursing.
Tarang Patel, DNP-NA, RN, CCRN, RPh 
Nichole Weaver, MSN/Ed, RN, CCRN 
Miriam Wahrman, MSN/Ed, RNC-MNN 
Kara Tarr, BSN, RN 
Nacole Riccaboni, MSN, AGACNP-BC, FNP-BC, CCRN, CMC 