A nurse is administering corticosteroids to a client with severe pre-eclampsia who is 32 weeks pregnant.
What is the main purpose of giving corticosteroids to this client?
To reduce inflammation
To prevent infection
To accelerate fetal lung maturity
To increase platelet count
The Correct Answer is C
To accelerate fetal lung maturity. Corticosteroids are given to pregnant women with severe pre-eclampsia who are at risk of preterm delivery to help the development of the fetus’s lungs and reduce the risk of respiratory distress syndrome.
This can improve the survival and health outcomes of the newborn.
Choice A is wrong because corticosteroids do not reduce inflammation in pre-eclampsia. They are used for other inflammatory conditions such as asthma or arthritis.
Choice B is wrong because corticosteroids do not prevent infection in pre-eclampsia. They can actually increase the risk of infection by suppressing the immune system.
Choice D is wrong because corticosteroids do not increase platelet count in pre-eclampsia. They can actually decrease the platelet count by causing thrombocytopenia.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The target blood pressure goal for a client with severe pre-eclampsia is less than 160/110 mmHg.
This is because lowering the blood pressure too much or too fast can compromise the placental perfusion and fetal oxygenation.
Choice A is wrong because it is the target blood pressure goal for a client with chronic hypertension or gestational hypertension without severe features.
Choice B is wrong because it is the target blood pressure goal for a client with mild pre-eclampsia.
Choice D is wrong because it is too high and can increase the risk of maternal and fetal complications such as stroke, eclampsia, placental abruption, and fetal growth restriction.
Normal blood pressure ranges are less than 120/80 mmHg for systolic and diastolic pressures respectively.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale: Magnesium sulfate acts as a central nervous system depressant. In HELLP syndrome and preeclampsia, its primary therapeutic purpose is to provide seizure prophylaxis by decreasing neuromuscular irritability and excitability.
Choice B rationale: While magnesium sulfate may cause slight vasodilation, it is not an antihypertensive agent. Elevated blood pressure in HELLP syndrome is managed with specific medications like hydralazine, labetalol, or nifedipine.
Choice C rationale: Magnesium sulfate does not function as a diuretic. In fact, adequate urine output is a critical assessment for magnesium toxicity, as the medication is primarily excreted by the kidneys.
Choice D rationale: Magnesium sulfate has no direct effect on bone marrow or platelet production. HELLP syndrome is characterized by low platelets; improvement usually only occurs following delivery or resolving the underlying condition.
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