A nurse is preparing to administer an IV loading dose of magnesium sulfate to a client who has preeclampsia with severe features.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Administer the medication over 30 min using an infusion pump
Place the client in a supine position with a wedge under the right hip
Monitor the client’s blood pressure every 15 min during the infusion
Have calcium gluconate available at the bedside as an antidote.
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is choice D. Have calcium gluconate available at the bedside as an antidote. Magnesium sulfate is used to prevent and treat seizures in women with severe preeclampsia or eclampsia. However, it can also cause toxicity and respiratory depression if the serum level is too high. Calcium gluconate is the antidote for magnesium sulfate toxicity and should be readily available at the bedside.
Choice A is wrong because the medication should be administered over 20-30 minutes using an infusion pump.
A shorter infusion time may increase the risk of adverse effects.
Choice B is wrong because the client should be placed in a lateral position to improve uteroplacental perfusion and reduce the risk of aspiration.
Choice C is wrong because the client’s blood pressure should be monitored every 5 minutes during the infusion, not every 15 minutes.
Blood pressure is an indicator of the severity of preeclampsia and the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate therapy.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","D","E"]
Explanation
The correct answer ischoice A, B, D and E.These are all signs and symptoms that may indicate worsening condition or preeclampsia in a client with gestational hypertension.Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy that is marked by high blood pressure and presence of proteins in urine.
Choice C is wrong because chest pain or shortness of breath are not typical symptoms of preeclampsia, but they may indicate other serious conditions such as heart problems or pulmonary edema.
If a client with gestational hypertension experiences these symptoms, they should seek immediate medical attention.
Normal ranges for blood pressure and proteinuria are:
• Blood pressure: less than 140/90 mm Hg.
• Proteinuria: less than 300 mg in a 24-hour urine collection or less than 30 mg/dL in a random urine sample.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A. Cerebral hemorrhage.Eclampsia is a severe complication of preeclampsia that causes seizures and can lead to stroke or death.Cerebral hemorrhage is bleeding in the brain that can result from high blood pressure and swelling in the brain caused by eclampsia.It is one of the most common causes of death in women with eclampsia.
Choice B. Pulmonary edema is wrong because it is not the most common cause of death in women with eclampsia.
Pulmonary edema is fluid accumulation in the lungs that can impair breathing and oxygen exchange.It can occur as a complication of eclampsia, but it is less frequent than cerebral hemorrhage.
Choice C. Liver rupture is wrong because it is not the most common cause of death in women with eclampsia.
Liver rupture is a rare but serious complication of eclampsia that involves bleeding from the liver due to increased pressure and damage to the liver tissue.It can cause severe abdominal pain, shock and death.
Choice D. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is wrong because it is not the most common cause of death in women with eclampsia.
DIC is a condition where the blood clotting system becomes overactive and forms clots throughout the body, leading to bleeding and organ failure.It can occur as a complication of eclampsia, but it is less common than cerebral hemorrhage.
Normal ranges for blood pressure are below 140/90 mmHg and for proteinuria are below 300 mg/24 hours or below 30 mg/dL in a urine sample.
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