A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving magnesium sulfate for pre-term labor.

Which of the following assessments should the nurse perform to evaluate the therapeutic effect of the medication?

Cervix is shortened and thinned.This indicates cervical effacement, which is the thinning and softening of the cervix in preparation for childbirth.Cervical effacement is measured in percentages, from 0% (no effacement) to 100% (fully effaced).

Choice A is wrong because cervix is soft and pliable does not necessarily mean it is effaced.The cervix can soften before it thins and shortens.

Choice C is wrong because cervix is dilated and open indicates cervical dilation, which is the opening of the cervix.Cervical dilation is measured in centimeters, from 0 cm (closed) to 10 cm (fully dilated).

Cervical dilation and effacement are related, but not the same.

Choice D is wrong because cervix is posterior and high indicates the position of the cervix in relation to the vagina.The cervix can move from posterior (back) to anterior (front) and from high to low as labor progresses.

The position of the cervix does not indicate effacement.

Creatinine clearance.

Indomethacin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that inhibits prostaglandin synthesis and suppresses uterine contractions.However, it can also causerenal failurein the fetus and the mother by reducing renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate.

Therefore, the nurse should monitor the creatinine clearance, which is a measure of renal function, while the client is receiving this medication.

Choice A is wrong because indomethacin does not affect platelet count or coagulation.

Choice C is wrong because indomethacin does not affect liver function tests.

Choice D is wrong because indomethacin does not affect blood glucose levels.

Normal ranges for creatinine clearance are 88-128 mL/min for women and 97-137 mL/min for men.Normal ranges for platelet count are 150,000-450,000 cells/mm3.

Normal ranges for liver function tests vary depending on the specific test, but some common ones are: alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 7-55 U/L, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 8-48 U/L, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) 45-115 U/L, total bilirubin 0.1-1.2 mg/dL.