A nurse is caring for a client with severe pre-eclampsia who is receiving magnesium sulfate.
Which of the following findings would indicate magnesium toxicity and require immediate intervention?
Urinary output of 25 mL/hour
Respiratory rate of 14 breaths/minute
Deep tendon reflexes 1+
Serum magnesium level of 6 mg/dL
The Correct Answer is A
A. Urinary output of 25 mL/hour. This indicates magnesium toxicity and requires immediate intervention because it means the kidneys are not functioning properly and magnesium is not being excreted. Magnesium toxicity can cause life-threatening complications such as respiratory depression, cardiac arrest, and coma.
B. Respiratory rate of 14 breaths/minute is normal and does not indicate magnesium toxicity. A respiratory rate of less than 12 breaths/minute or more than 20 breaths/minute would be abnormal and require further assessment.
C. Deep tendon reflexes 1+ are normal and do not indicate magnesium toxicity. A loss of deep tendon reflexes or clonus would indicate magnesium toxicity and require immediate intervention.
D. Serum magnesium level of 6 mg/dL is within the therapeutic range for preeclampsia and does not indicate magnesium toxicity.
The therapeutic range for preeclampsia is 4 to 7 mg/dL. A serum magnesium level of more than 8 mg/dL would indicate magnesium toxicity and require immediate intervention.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","D","E"]
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A, B, D and E. These are all signs of severe preeclampsia that indicate organ damage and require immediate medical attention.According to Mayo Clinic, preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy that causes high blood pressure, protein in the urine, or other signs of organ damage after 20 weeks of gestation.
Choice A is correct because epigastric pain can indicate liver damage or bleeding in the abdomen due to preeclampsia.
Choice B is correct because blurred vision or light sensitivity can indicate brain damage or increased pressure in the skull due to preeclampsia.
Choice C is wrong because facial edema is a common symptom of normal pregnancy and does not necessarily indicate preeclampsia.
Choice D is correct because hyperreflexia can indicate nervous system damage or increased pressure in the skull due to preeclampsia.
Choice E is correct because oliguria can indicate kidney damage or decreased blood flow to the kidneys due to preeclampsia.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
To lower blood pressure.Hydralazine is an antihypertensive drug that is used to treat severe hypertension in pre-eclampsia.It works by relaxing the blood vessels and reducing the resistance to blood flow.
This helps to lower the blood pressure and prevent complications such as stroke, kidney damage, or placental abruption.
Choice A is wrong because hydralazine does not prevent seizures.
Seizures are a symptom of eclampsia, a more severe form of pre-eclampsia.To prevent seizures, magnesium sulfate is usually given intravenously.
Choice C is wrong because hydralazine does not increase urine output.In fact, it may cause fluid retention and edema as a side effect.Diuretics are drugs that increase urine output, but they are not recommended for pre-eclampsia because they may worsen the condition by reducing blood volume and placental perfusion.
Choice D is wrong because hydralazine does not improve placental perfusion.
Placental perfusion is the blood flow to the placenta, which provides oxygen and nutrients to the fetus.
Placental perfusion may be impaired in pre-eclampsia due to abnormal development of the placental blood vessels.Hydralazine does not affect the placental blood vessels directly, but it may improve placental perfusion indirectly by lowering the maternal blood pressure and reducing the risk of abruption.
However, this is not the primary or expected outcome of hydralazine therapy.
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