An oxytocin infusion contains 30 units in 500 mL. The target dose is 6 mU/min, and the client develops uterine tachysystole with recurrent late decelerations. Which actions are appropriate? Select all that apply.
Select All That Apply
Choose your responses, then check the answer.
Explanation
The concentration is 60 mU/mL, so 6 mU/min equals 6 mL/hr. Tachysystole with recurrent late decelerations requires stopping oxytocin, lateral repositioning with maternal-fetal assessment, notification of the responsible obstetric clinician, and indicated intrauterine-resuscitation measures. Increasing the rate worsens uterine overstimulation; waiting delays treatment of fetal compromise; reducing the rate by half still exposes the fetus to the causative uterotonic; and restarting at the same rate without a new clinician-directed plan is unsafe.
Quick answer Select the correct rate calculation, stop oxytocin, reposition and assess, and escalate the fetal-resuscitation response.
Why this is correct 30 units equal 30,000 mU; divided by 500 mL, the concentration is 60 mU/mL. 6 mU/min is 0.1 mL/min or 6 mL/hr. The label requires discontinuation for uterine hyperactivity or fetal distress.
Easy analogy or mental picture Convert the bag to mU per mL before touching the pump, then turn off the driver when the uterus and fetus show harm.
Memory hook Units to mU, divide by volume, convert minutes to hours; tachysystole means stop.
NCLEX decision rule Calculation accuracy and clinical response are one safety task: a correct rate does not justify continuing during fetal compromise.
Why the other choices are wrong Increasing the rate worsens the mechanism, and waiting delays response to an evolving fetal oxygenation problem.
References
1DailyMed: Oxytocin InjectionPump control, fetal and uterine monitoring, and immediate discontinuation for tachysystole or fetal distress
Oxytocin calculation and fetal-safety responseVerify the units-to-mU calculation, stop the uterotonic during tachysystole with recurrent late decelerations, and reassess maternal-fetal status before any restart decision.