Your pregnant client has been hospitalized with hyperemesis gravidarum. She is given ondansetron to treat this illness. What serious side effects should the hospital nurses be watching for?
Your pregnant client has been hospitalized with hyperemesis gravidarum. She is given ondansetron to treat this illness. What serious side effects should the hospital nurses be watching for?
A. Continued nausea and vomiting
[11%]
B. Prolonged QT interval
[53%]
C. Respiratory distress
[24%]
D. Constipation
[12%]
Statistics
Subject/Lesson
Subject
Maternal & Newborn Health
Lesson
Antepartum
Client Need
Test Plan
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Related Topic
Adverse Effects/Contraindications/Side Effects/Interactions
Item Type
Item Type
Knowledge/Comprehension
Explanation
Choice B is correct. Ondansetron is a 5HT-3 receptor antagonist that treats nausea and vomiting. It may be used in hyperemesis gravidarum when the patient loses weight or cannot cope with pregnancy-related nausea. Prolonged QT interval is a severe side effect of ondansetron.
Choice A is incorrect. While the nurse should monitor for the resolution of nausea and vomiting, the continuation of emesis is not a side effect of ondansetron.
Choice C is incorrect. Respiratory distress is not generally associated with ondansetron.
Choice D is incorrect. Constipation can occur, but it is not a severe side effect of ondansetron.
Learning Objective
Recognize prolonged QT-interval as a severe side effect of ondansetron.
Related Videos
6 Key Topics
Antiemetics
6.7 GI Drugs
Antiemetics (Ondansetron)
20.2 Bowel & GI Symptom Management Medications
Hyperemesis Gravidarum
