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STUDY SCENARIO AND QUESTIONS Dr. Bill is a hospital pharmacist making rounds wit

ID: 3497261 • Letter: S

Question

STUDY SCENARIO AND QUESTIONS Dr. Bill is a hospital pharmacist making rounds with a physician, Dr. Jake. One of Dr. Jake's patients had just been admitted to the hospital in premature labor. Unable to reduce the contractions, Dr. Jake consulted with Dr. Bill about administering terbutaline sulfate. The drug has FDA approval only for use in bronchial asthma but was also being widely used as a tocolytic agent because it relaxes smooth muscles. Dr. Bill had reserva- tions because the labeling for terbutaline states is indicated for the prevention and reversal of bronchospasm in patients with bronchial asthma and reversible bronchospasm associated with bronchitis and emphysema. ***Terbutaline sulfate should not be used for tocolysis. Serious adverse reactions may occur after administration of terbu- taline sulfate to women in labor. In the mother, these include increased heart rate, transient hyper- glycemia, hypokalemia, cardiac arrhythmias, pulmonary edema, and myocardial ischemia. (continues)

Explanation / Answer

though tebutaline sulfate has been used widely by various by many physicians in the form of a tocolytic agent, the medicine clearly mentions that of the drug is used in case of women in labour, it may be having serious implications. These may be in the form of cardiac arrhythmia, hypokalemia, increased heart rate etc.

Though, this has been used regularly and the chance of causing these conditions are only a probability, if any of these conditions are observed, the doctor would be held responsible for their actions. Also, they would not have any defence for themselves.