# 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. > source: MyMerci (mymerci.kr) > url: https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=514122&lang=en > language: en > subject: Adverse Effects/Contraindications/Interactions > category: PPT ## Question 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. 1Recognize that the programmed rate for 6 mU/min should be 6 mL/hr. 2Stop the oxytocin infusion immediately. 3Reposition the client laterally and assess maternal and fetal status. 4Increase the infusion to 12 mL/hr to shorten labor. 5Notify the responsible obstetric clinician and continue indicated intrauterine-resuscitation measures. 6Wait for the next scheduled assessment because contractions are expected. 7Reduce the oxytocin rate by half and continue it while repositioning because the programmed dose was calculated correctly. 8Restart oxytocin at the same rate after one contraction without a late deceleration, without a new responsible-clinician plan. ## 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. ## In-depth explanation 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 ## Clinical scenario Oxytocin calculation and fetal-safety response Verify the units-to-mU calculation, stop the uterotonic during tachysystole with recurrent late decelerations, and reassess maternal-fetal status before any restart decision. ## Related questions - [A client is admitted to the emergency department after ingesting an unknown amount of acet…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=362720&lang=en) - [A client with chronic heart failure is prescribed metoprolol 25 mg orally twice daily. Bef…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=362756&lang=en) - [A 28-year-old client with type 1 diabetes receives regular insulin 6 units and NPH insulin…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=362792&lang=en) - [A client receives IV vancomycin 1 g every 12 hours for MRSA bacteremia. Before the next do…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=362833&lang=en) - [A client with bipolar disorder has been taking lithium carbonate 600 mg orally three times…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=362894&lang=en) - [A nurse is monitoring a client receiving a continuous IV heparin infusion for pulmonary em…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=363988&lang=en) - [A nurse is preparing to initiate a weight-based continuous IV unfractionated heparin infus…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=364107&lang=en) - [A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a 65-year-old client newly prescribed warfarin …](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=364872&lang=en) ## Read in another language - [en](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=514122&lang=en) - [ko](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=514122&lang=ko) - [ja](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=514122&lang=ja) - [zh-TW](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=514122&lang=zh-tw) - [vi](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=514122&lang=vi) --- More free questions: [NCLEX-RN Practice](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_bank.php?lang=en) _For study reference only. Always follow current clinical guidelines and your institution’s protocols._