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
The correct answer is Choice A........ Therefore, it poses the greatest risk to a newborn who is 30
minutes old.
Choice B rationale
Birth weight can influence a newborn’s health, with low birth weight associated with various health problems. However, it is less immediately life-threatening compared to meconium aspiration syndrome.
Choice C rationale
Gestational age can influence a newborn’s health, with preterm birth associated with various health problems. However, it is less immediately life-threatening compared to meconium aspiration syndrome.
Choice D rationale
Fetal Undergrowth Anomaly (FUA) refers to a condition where a fetus does not grow at the expected rate during pregnancy. It can lead to various health problems for the newborn. However, it is less immediately life-threatening compared to meconium aspiration syndrome.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Chadwick’s sign is a bluish discoloration of the cervix, vagina, and labia resulting from increased blood flow. This sign is commonly seen in early pregnancy, but it does not indicate the presence of blood in the peritoneum.
Choice B rationale
Chvostek’s sign is a clinical sign of existing nerve hyperexcitability seen in hypocalcemia. It refers to an abnormal reaction to the stimulation of the facial nerve. This sign is not related to a ruptured ectopic pregnancy.
Choice C rationale
Goodell’s sign is a significant softening of the vaginal portion of the cervix from increased vascularization. This vascular softening is seen in early pregnancy. It does not indicate the presence of blood in the peritoneum.
Choice D rationale
Cullen’s sign is the appearance of bruising in the skin around the umbilicus. It occurs when there is blood in the peritoneum, or intra-abdominal bleeding. In the case of a suspected ruptured ectopic pregnancy, Cullen’s sign would indicate the presence of blood in the peritoneum.
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