Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 22, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Pharmacological Labor-Stimulating Agents and Neonatal Outcomes
Ashli Gibson1, Deborah Pollard1
1a School of Nursing, University of North Carolina Wilmington , Wilmington , North Carolina , USA.
Abstract:
This study examined the physiological and feeding outcomes of term neonates in relation to if they were delivered with pharmacological labor-stimulating agents or not. A retrospective chart review was conducted at a regional hospital. Infant and mother charts were selected from a 6-week timeframe. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the 296 charts that were included. There were no statistically significant differences in physiological and feeding parameters of term neonates in relation to pharmacological labor-stimulating agents. The only significant difference found was that deliveries, which received no labor-stimulating agents, had higher rates of meconium staining.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants
Ganglionic stimulants activate NM nicotinic receptors in autonomic ganglia, falling into two categories: nicotine mimetics [e.g., lobeline, dimethylpiperazine, tetramethylammonium] and muscarinic receptor agonists [e.g., muscarine, methacholine]. The first category's action is rapid and blocked by nicotinic receptor antagonists, while the second category's action is delayed and blocked by atropine-like agents. Nicotine, an alkaloid, affects the heart rate by stimulating...

