A woman requests a medication-induced abortion. The first drug administered to her is most likely a:

In the context of a medication-induced abortion, the first drug that is typically administered is a progesterone antagonist, particularly mifepristone. This medication works by blocking the effects of progesterone, a hormone crucial for maintaining pregnancy. Without progesterone, the uterine lining breaks down, and the pregnancy cannot continue. Following this, a prostaglandin, such as misoprostol, is used to prompt uterine contractions to facilitate the abortion process.

The option pertaining to an oxytocic, which usually refers to drugs that stimulate uterine contractions, is not the first line when initiating a medication-induced abortion. Oxytocics, such as oxytocin, are generally used later in the process or in situations to induce labor, rather than the initial step in the medical abortion regimen. Therefore, the understanding that the primary drug administered in this scenario should be a progesterone antagonist is pivotal to grasping the correct approach for a medication-induced abortion.