Neonatal network : NN
-
In 1981, the Food and Drug Administration approved prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) for use in the treatment of neonates with congenital heart disease. PGE1 is commonly used in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units to maintain patency of the ductus arteriosus in those cardiac lesions that depend on the ductus for either systemic or pulmonary blood flow. Early recognition of hemodynamic instability and prompt initiation of PGE1 therapy is vital to survival in neonates with ductal-dependent cardiac lesions. ⋯ Therefore, a continuous infusion and adequate intravenous access are necessary. Nurses caring for these neonates must have knowledge of all its potential side effects. Some of the most common side effects include cutaneous vasodilation, bradycardia, tachycardia, hypotension, seizure-like activity, hyperthermia, and apnea.