A nurse is caring for a client with preeclampsia who is being treated with IV magnesium sulfate. The client’s respiratory rate is 10/min and deep-tendon reflexes are absent.
What action should the nurse take?
Prepare for an emergency cesarean birth
Position the client in Trendelenburg
Discontinue the medication infusion
Assess maternal blood glucose
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Preparing for an emergency cesarean birth may be necessary in some cases of preeclampsia, particularly if there are signs of fetal distress or if the condition is not responding to treatment. However, in this scenario, the client’s symptoms are indicative of magnesium toxicity, not worsening preeclampsia.
Choice B rationale
Positioning the client in Trendelenburg (with the head lower than the feet) is not typically used in the management of preeclampsia or magnesium toxicity.
Choice C rationale
Discontinuing the medication infusion is the correct action in this scenario. The client’s symptoms (respiratory rate of 10/min and absent deep-tendon reflexes) are indicative of magnesium toxicity, a potential complication of magnesium sulfate therapy. Magnesium sulfate is used in the management of preeclampsia to prevent seizures, but it can cause toxicity if the levels become too high. If signs of toxicity occur, the infusion should be discontinued immediately.
Choice D rationale
Assessing maternal blood glucose may be necessary in some cases, particularly if the client has a history of diabetes. However, it is not the priority in this scenario, as the client’s symptoms are indicative of magnesium toxicity, not hyperglycemia.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A fundus that is palpable to the right of the midline can indicate a distended bladder. After childbirth, it’s common for women to have difficulty emptying their bladder. If the bladder becomes too full, it can push the uterus to one side.
Choice B rationale
Frequent uterine contractions are not typically associated with a distended bladder. After childbirth, it’s normal for women to experience contractions as the uterus begins to shrink back to its pre-pregnancy size.
Choice C rationale
Increased thirst is not typically a sign of a distended bladder. It’s common for women to feel thirsty as their body adjusts after childbirth.
Choice D rationale
Less than 2.5 cm of rubra lochia on the perineal pad is not typically a sign of a distended bladder. Lochia is the vaginal discharge women experience after childbirth. It’s not related to bladder function.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While seeing a counselor could be beneficial for some women experiencing doubts and second thoughts about their pregnancy, suggesting this as an initial response may make the client feel that her feelings are abnormal or require professional help.
Choice B rationale
Asking if the client has spoken to her mother about these feelings assumes that the client has a good relationship with her mother or that her mother is available for support, which may not be the case.
Choice C rationale
Telling the client not to worry and that she will be fine once the baby is born may minimize her feelings and does not acknowledge her current emotional state.
Choice D rationale
Ambivalent feelings are quite common for women early in pregnancy. This response validates the client’s feelings and reassures her that what she is experiencing is normal.
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