Step 1 - Endocrine System Questions

USMLE / COMLEX - Step 1 > Endocrine System > USMLE/COMLEX 1 - Prep Questions

Q. A 30-year-old female patient who is 38 weeks pregnant is admitted to the labor and delivery ward with complaints of painful contractions that have been occurring every five minutes for the past hour. The patient has a history of gestational diabetes and hypertension. During the delivery process, the patient's contractions become less frequent and less intense. Upon further examination, it is found that the patient is experiencing uterine atony, which is characterized by inadequate contractions of the uterus. The patient is administered oxytocin. What is the mechanism of action of oxytocin in treating uterine atony in this patient during labor?

Binding to oxytocin receptors in the myometrium, leading to increased uterine contractility.
Blocking the effects of adrenaline on the myometrium, leading to increased uterine contractility.
Directly inhibiting the release of prostaglandins, leading to decreased uterine contractions.
Blocking calcium channels in the uterine smooth muscle, leading to decreased uterine contractility.
Increasing the synthesis and release of prostaglandins, leading to increased uterine contractility.
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