CPM Certified Professional Midwife

Answer: A - A midwife may administer meperidine to the client who is 39 at weeks’ gestation and is expected to give birth in 3 hours. Meperidine is not administered in early labor because it may slow the labor process. It is also not administered when labor is expected within one hour because it may enter the fetal circulation and cause respiratory depression. Meperidine is not usually administered to clients in preterm labor. Premature infants have immature lungs, and administering meperidine may further increase their risk for respiratory distress.