A nurse is caring for a client with gestational hypertension who is receiving magnesium sulfate.
What is the main purpose of administering this medication?
To lower blood pressure
To prevent seizures
To induce labor
To increase urine output
The Correct Answer is B
The correct answer is choice B. To prevent seizures. Magnesium sulfate is a medication that is used to prevent seizures in women with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia.
Seizures can be life-threatening for both the mother and the baby. Magnesium sulfate also has a mild antihypertensive effect, but it is not the main purpose of administering this medication.
Choice A is wrong because magnesium sulfate does not lower blood pressure significantly. Other antihypertensive drugs, such as hydralazine, are used to control blood pressure in women with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia.
Choice C is wrong because magnesium sulfate does not induce labor. It may actually delay labor by relaxing the uterine muscles. Other medications, such as oxytocin, are used to induce labor when needed.
Choice D is wrong because magnesium sulfate does not increase urine output. It may actually decrease urine output by causing fluid retention and renal impairment. Urine output should be monitored closely in women receiving magnesium sulfate to detect signs of toxicity.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is choice B. To prevent seizures.Magnesium sulfate is a medication that is used to prevent seizures in women with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia.
Seizures can be life-threatening for both the mother and the baby.Magnesium sulfate also has a mild antihypertensive effect, but it is not the main purpose of administering this medication.
Choice A is wrong because magnesium sulfate does not lower blood pressure significantly.Other antihypertensive drugs, such as hydralazine, are used to control blood pressure in women with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia.
Choice C is wrong because magnesium sulfate does not induce labor.It may actually delay labor by relaxing the uterine muscles.Other medications, such as oxytocin, are used to induce labor when needed.
Choice D is wrong because magnesium sulfate does not increase urine output.It may actually decrease urine output by causing fluid retention and renal impairment.Urine output should be monitored closely in women receiving magnesium sulfate to detect signs of toxicity.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A. Headache and blurred vision.These are signs ofcerebral edemaor swelling of the brain, which can lead toeclampsia, a life-threatening complication of preeclampsia that causes seizures.
Choice B is wrong because nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of pregnancy and do not indicate a risk for eclampsia.
Choice C is wrong because edema and weight gain are also common in pregnancy and may be due to fluid retention or increased blood volume.
They are not specific signs of preeclampsia or eclampsia.
Choice D is wrong because proteinuria and oliguria are signs ofkidney damagedue to preeclampsia, but they do not directly increase the risk of eclampsia.However, they may indicate severe preeclampsia that requires close monitoring and treatment.
Normal ranges for blood pressure, proteinuria, platelet count, and liver enzymes are as follows:
• Blood pressure: less than 140/90 mm Hg
• Proteinuria: less than 300 mg per 24 hours
• Platelet count: 150,000 to 400,000 per microliter
• Liver enzymes: AST less than 40 U/L, ALT less than 45 U/L
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