I ml of Inj. Pitocin contains:-

Appeared in: AIIMS Manglagiri NO - 2019

Explanation

Pitocin is a synthetic form of the hormone oxytocin, used in obstetrics.
The potency and dosage of oxytocin are measured in International Units (IU), which reflect its biological activity, not its mass.
Common commercial preparations of oxytocin injection include a concentration of 5 IU per 1 ml.
Therefore, 1 ml of the injection contains 5 IU of oxytocin.

Option A: This is incorrect because oxytocin is dosed by its biological activity in International Units (IU), not by mass in milligrams (mg).
Option B: This is incorrect for the same reason as the 5 mg option; oxytocin is not dosed in mg. The value is also excessively high.
Option D: This is incorrect because 'mm' stands for millimeter, which is a unit of length and is not used for measuring medication volume or concentration.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Pharmacology: Drug Dosage and Units as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must be vigilant about drug concentrations and units to prevent medication errors. Confusing 'mg' with 'IU' for a high-alert medication like oxytocin can lead to catastrophic overdoses, causing uterine hyperstimulation, uterine rupture, fetal distress, or even fetal death.
When administering oxytocin, the nurse's primary responsibility is to continuously monitor uterine contraction frequency, duration, and intensity, as well as the fetal heart rate, to ensure both maternal and fetal safety.
What if? If a nurse received an order for '5 mg of Pitocin,' the correct and critical safety action would be to immediately question the order with the prescribing physician and consult the pharmacist. This is an incorrect and dangerously high dose, and the order must be clarified to be in International Units before administration.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the drug mentioned in the question, which is 'Inj. Pitocin' (a brand name for oxytocin).
Next, recall the standard unit of measurement for this type of medication. Hormones like oxytocin are measured based on their biological activity, which is expressed in International Units (IU).
Examine the options provided. Eliminate any options that use incorrect units of measurement. In this case, 'mg' (milligram, a unit of mass) and 'mm' (millimeter, a unit of length) are incorrect for dosing oxytocin.
This leaves the option with the correct unit, 'IU'.
Finally, confirm if the value is plausible. '5 IU' is a standard amount found in 1 ml of oxytocin injection, making it the correct choice.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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