Clinical Judgment Medication List
List specific findings (assessments/cues, VS, labs, etc.) that support the need for this medication.
Medication
name
Purpose of the medication
for THIS client
How will the nurse know there is a
problem, or the client is not tolerating
the medication?
How will the nurse know the
medication is effective? Patient/ Family Education
GENERIC:
oxytocin
(synthetic
injection)
TRADE:
Pitocin
CLASSIFICATION:
Therapeutic
class: Oxytocic
Pharmacologic
class:
Exogenous
hormones
Is the dose safe? YES
To reduce
postpartum bleeding
after expulsion of
placenta
Adults:110 to 40 units
IV infused at rate
needed to sustain
uterine contraction
and control uterine
atony. Also, may give
10 units IM after
delivery of placenta
Monitor fluid intake and
output. Antidiuretic effect
may lead to1fluid overload,
seizures, and coma from
water intoxication.
Increase amount of bleeding
Reduces amount of
bleeding
Instruct patient to
promptly report adverse
reactions (site
irritation,1nausea,
bleeding, blurred vision,
difficulty
speaking,1wheezing,
itching, swelling)
GENERIC:
Misoprostol
TRADE:
Cytotec
CLASSIFICATION:
Therapeutic
class: Antiulcer
drugs
Pharmacologic
class:
Prostaglandin
E1 analogues
Is the dose safe? NO
To prevent NSAID-
induced gastric ulcer
in patients at high
risk for
complications from
gastric ulcer and in
patients with history
of NSAID-induced
ulcer
Misoprostol is another
prostaglandin that
increases uterine tone
and decreases
postpartum bleeding.
Misoprostol is effective
in the treatment of
postpartum
Associated side effects may
include shivering and fever
Vaginal bleeding or
spotting may occur
Postpartum
hemorrhage should
decrease within
minutes of use
Remind female patient
who is pregnant that
drug may cause
miscarriage, premature
birth, or birth defects,
often with potentially
life-threatening
bleeding
