A nurse is caring for a client with eclampsia who is receiving magnesium sulfate intravenously.

Which of the following findings indicates magnesium toxicity?

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.

“This medication will help my baby’s lungs develop faster.” Corticosteroid therapy is given to pregnant clients with eclampsia to accelerate fetal lung maturity and reduce the risk of respiratory distress syndrome in the newborn.

Some possible explanations for the other choices are:

• Choice A is wrong because corticosteroids do not lower blood pressure.Antihypertensive drugs such as hydralazine or labetalol are used to treat hypertension in eclampsia.

• Choice B is wrong because corticosteroids do not prevent seizures.Magnesium sulfate is the drug of choice for seizure prophylaxis and treatment in eclampsia.

• Choice D is wrong because corticosteroids do not reduce inflammation in the body.They may have anti-inflammatory effects in some conditions, but their main purpose in eclampsia is to enhance fetal lung development.

Normal ranges for blood pressure and proteinuria in pregnancy are:

• Blood pressure: less than 140/90 mm Hg

• Proteinuria: less than 300 mg/24 hours or less than 1+ on dipstick