A nurse is caring for a client who is pregnant and requires IV antibiotic therapy for treatment of pyelonephritis

Question

Prior to administering the medication, the nurse discovers the medication is Category B for pregnancy. When planning care for this client, which will the nurse take into consideration regarding this medication?
A) Controlled studies in women have demonstrated no associated fetal risk.
B) There have been no controlled studies in women in particular, but controlled human studies have failed to demonstrate a risk.
C) Animal studies show teratogenic effects, but no controlled studies in women are available.
D) Evidence of human fetal risk exists, but the benefits of the drug in certain situations are thought to outweigh the risks.

Answer 1

Answer: B

To provide information for caregivers and clients, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has developed a classification system for all medications administered during pregnancy. This system can be used to help determine the risk of prenatal substance exposure from use of legal medications whether they are abused or prescribed by a physician. In Category C, there have been no controlled studies in women in particular, but controlled human studies have failed to demonstrate a risk. The other choices are for additional classifications, not Category C.