What should the nurse monitor for when administering methylergonovine?

When administering methylergonovine, the primary concern for nurses is to monitor for severe uterine contractions. Methylergonovine is a medication used to prevent or treat postpartum hemorrhage by stimulating uterine contractions and promoting uterine tone. Therefore, while it is important to manage the contraction intensity and frequency, the nurse must be vigilant for the risk of overly strong uterine contractions, which could lead to uterine rupture or impaired blood flow to the uterus.

Monitoring for severe contractions helps ensure that the uterus is functioning properly after childbirth, which is crucial for the health of the mother and the prevention of complications such as excessive bleeding. Additional monitoring may be necessary to assess maternal and fetal well-being, but the primary focus with methylergonovine revolves around uterine activity.