A postpartum client who received methylergonovine IM after delivery; which finding indicates the medication was effective?

A postpartum client who received methylergonovine IM after delivery; which finding indicates the medication was effective?

• A. Lochia that is serous
• B. Normal blood pressure
• C. Decreased uterine bleeding
• D. Decreased uterine contractions

Answer: (C)

Methylergonovine is an oxytocic that stimulates uterine smooth muscle contractions to compress bleeding vessels at the placental site. When it works, the uterus contracts firmly and postpartum bleeding decreases. So the best sign of effectiveness is decreased uterine bleeding, reflecting a well-contracting uterus. Lochia being serous isn’t a direct measure of the drug’s effect and can occur normally as lochia changes after birth. Normal blood pressure isn’t a reliable indicator of effectiveness because methylergonovine can cause hypertension as a side effect, so a normal reading doesn’t confirm that the uterus is adequately contracting. Decreased uterine contractions would mean the opposite of what the drug is meant to achieve, signaling ineffectiveness.

Methylergonovine is an oxytocic that stimulates uterine smooth muscle contractions to compress bleeding vessels at the placental site. When it works, the uterus contracts firmly and postpartum bleeding decreases. So the best sign of effectiveness is decreased uterine bleeding, reflecting a well-contracting uterus.

Lochia being serous isn’t a direct measure of the drug’s effect and can occur normally as lochia changes after birth. Normal blood pressure isn’t a reliable indicator of effectiveness because methylergonovine can cause hypertension as a side effect, so a normal reading doesn’t confirm that the uterus is adequately contracting. Decreased uterine contractions would mean the opposite of what the drug is meant to achieve, signaling ineffectiveness.