HESI Maternal Newborn Related

Review HESI Maternal Newborn related questions and content

Which drug was marketed in the 1960s to pregnant women and caused birth defects such as missing or stunted limbs in infants?

  • A. Progestin
  • B. Estrogen
  • C. Thalidomide
  • D. Oxytocin
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Thalidomide is the correct answer. Thalidomide was a drug marketed in the 1960s to pregnant women as a sedative and anti-nausea medication but tragically led to severe birth defects, including limb deformities, when taken during pregnancy. Progestin (Choice A) and Estrogen (Choice B) are hormones that are not associated with causing birth defects like Thalidomide. Oxytocin (Choice D) is a hormone that plays a role in labor and breastfeeding and is not known to cause birth defects like Thalidomide.