A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who had pre-eclampsia and delivered a healthy newborn.

Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

Magnesium sulfate therapy is used to prevent seizures in women with preeclampsia, a complication of pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure and organ dysfunction.Seizures are a sign of eclampsia, a severe form of preeclampsia that can be life-threatening.

Therefore, if the therapy is successful, the woman should not have any seizures.

Choice B.Absence of proteinuria is wrong because proteinuria, or excess protein in urine, is a possible sign of preeclampsia, not eclampsia.

Proteinuria may not disappear even after magnesium sulfate therapy.

Choice C.Absence of edema is wrong because edema, or swelling, is a common symptom of pregnancy and may not be related to preeclampsia or eclampsia.

Edema may not disappear even after magnesium sulfate therapy.

Choice D.Absence of headache is wrong because headache is a symptom of preeclampsia, not eclampsia.

Headache may not disappear even after magnesium sulfate therapy.

Normal ranges for blood pressure are below 140/90 mm Hg and for protein in urine are below 300 mg per 24 hours.

Absence of seizures indicates a therapeutic response to magnesium sulfate therapy for a client with eclampsia.Magnesium sulfate is used to prevent seizures in women with preeclampsia, a complication of pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure and organ dysfunction.Magnesium sulfate may act as a vasodilator, an anticonvulsant, and a protector of the blood-brain barrier.

Choice B is wrong because a decrease in urine output may indicate renal impairment, which is a complication of preeclampsia and eclampsia.

Choice C is wrong because an increase in deep tendon reflexes may indicate hyperreflexia, which is a sign of increased neuromuscular irritability and a risk factor for seizures.

Choice D is wrong because an increase in respiratory rate may indicate respiratory distress, which can be caused by pulmonary edema, another complication of preeclampsia and eclampsia.

Normal ranges for urine output are 0.5 to 1 mL/kg/hour, for deep tendon reflexes are 1+ to 2+, and for respiratory rate are 12 to 20 breaths per minute.