calcium gluconate and pitocin

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by mark_LD_RN
Feb 4, '03   Views: 3,104   Comments: 6

  1. does anyone do this anymore. and if so when and why?
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    About mark_LD_RN

    Joined: Nov '01; Posts: 1,083; Likes: 14
    registered nurse

    6 Comments

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  3. by mother/babyRN
    Feb 4, '03
    We haven't done that. Only thing I have used calcium for is for mag....Whatever you end up using it form pt should be on the cardiac monitor and be observed for tetany, which I have seen happen. Also labs .
  4. by SmilingBluEyes
    Feb 4, '03
    never done that. why would you do that? curious.
  5. by mark_LD_RN
    Feb 5, '03
    had a couple of older docs order it in past. from what i remember it was supposed to increase the effectiveness of the pit.but not sure, been trying to find out
  6. by SmilingBluEyes
    Feb 5, '03
    perhaps by increasing muscle contractility and irritibility, thereby enhanging the effect of pit? Hmmmm maybe...never seen it done. To me, either a person is "ready" for pit or not...it's about receptor reaction, not just muscle excitability. But I may be wrong?
  7. by luv l&d
    Feb 5, '03
    Have done this with midwife pts. Uaually when the labor "peters out" after a prolonged active phase. Rationale includes calcuim increases muscle contractility, and there for makes the pitocin more effective. Usually one amp of calcuim in a liter. Maybe wishful thinking or just "tincure of time" but have seen it work. Also have used it without pit. just to make spontanous contractions more effective.
  8. by ShandyLynnRN
    Feb 5, '03
    I have honestly never heard of that!

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