Overview
- Opioids are given for moderate to severe pain
- They will not provide the same relief as an epidural
- They are typically given IV in labor and fast-acting
- Given PO in the postpartum period to treat pain
Nursing Points
General
- Ideal to be given when needed for breakthrough/acute pain during labor, not chronically throughout pregnancy
- Newborn can be born addicted→ refer to addicted newborn lesson
- History taking is essential before administration to make sure they haven’t been taking them during pregnancy
- Some meds are contraindicated if someone is already dependent on specific meds, as they may elicit withdrawal symptoms for both baby and mom
Assessment
- Patient history
- Pain level
- How close is the patient to delivery
Therapeutic Management
- Medicate properly
- Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
- Morphine
- Butorphanol tartrate (Stadol)
- Nalbuphine (Nubain)
- Oxycodone
- Hydrocodone
- Naloxone available
- Anti nausea medications
- Nausea is a side effect of Opioids
- Monitor for overdose
- Respirations less than 12/min is a concern
- Hypotension
Nursing Concepts
- Pharmacology
- Comfort
- Safety
Patient Education
- Fast acting
- Treatment options
Cornell Note-Taking System Instructions:
- Record: During the lecture, use the note-taking column to record the lecture using telegraphic sentences.
- Questions: As soon after class as possible, formulate questions based onthe notes in the right-hand column. Writing questions helps to clarifymeanings, reveal relationships, establish continuity, and strengthenmemory. Also, the writing of questions sets up a perfect stage for exam-studying later.
- Recite: Cover the note-taking column with a sheet of paper. Then, looking at the questions or cue-words in the question and cue column only, say aloud, in your own words, the answers to the questions, facts, or ideas indicated by the cue-words.
- Reflect: Reflect on the material by asking yourself questions, for example: “What’s the significance of these facts? What principle are they based on? How can I apply them? How do they fit in with what I already know? What’s beyond them?
- Review: Spend at least ten minutes every week reviewing all your previous notes. If you do, you’ll retain a great deal for current use, as well as, for the exam.
For more information, visit www.nursing.com/cornell
