A client with asthma 8 hours post-delivery is experiencing postpartum hemorrhage. Which prescription should the nurse administer?

• A. Oxytocin (Pitocin).
• B. Ibuprofen (Motrin).
• C. Fentanyl (Sublimaze).
• D. Hemabate (Carboprost).

Answer: (A)

Promoting uterine contraction to control postpartum hemorrhage is the priority. Oxytocin stimulates the uterine smooth muscle to contract, helping to compress bleeding vessels and reduce blood loss. This makes it the first-line choice for managing uterine atony after delivery.

In a client with asthma, avoid agents that can worsen bronchospasm. Hemabate (carboprost) is a prostaglandin that can trigger bronchoconstriction and exacerbate asthma, so it’s not appropriate here. The other options do not address the bleeding effectively: ibuprofen is an analgesic/anti-inflammatory, and fentanyl is an opioid analgesic, neither of which stops the hemorrhage.

Administer oxytocin as prescribed and monitor for potential side effects, such as fluid overload or hyponatremia with prolonged infusion, and observe the uterus for continued tone and contractility.