A nurse is teaching a client who is at 25 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor about the purpose and side effects of magnesium sulfate therapy.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
“This medication will help prevent seizures in case I develop preeclampsia.”
“This medication will help mature my baby’s lungs in case he is born early.”
“This medication will help relax my uterus and stop contractions.”
“This medication will help lower my blood pressure in case it gets too high.”
The Correct Answer is C
This medication will help relax my uterus and stop contractions.
Magnesium sulfate is a tocolytic, a medication used to suppress uterine contractions and delay preterm delivery. The exact mechanism through which magnesium sulfate inhibits contractions is unknown, but researchers believe it likely works by lowering calcium levels in the uterine muscles.
Choice A is wrong because magnesium sulfate is not used to prevent seizures in case of preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia is a condition characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine during pregnancy. Magnesium sulfate may be used to treat seizures if they occur with eclampsia, which is a severe complication of preeclampsia.
Choice B is wrong because magnesium sulfate does not help mature the baby’s lungs in case of preterm birth.
Magnesium sulfate may have some neuroprotective effects for the baby, but it does not affect lung development. Steroids are usually given to pregnant women at risk of preterm delivery to help accelerate fetal lung maturation.
Choice D is wrong because magnesium sulfate does not lower blood pressure in case it gets too high.
Magnesium sulfate may have some vasodilatory effects, but it is not used as an antihypertensive agent. Other medications, such as hydralazine or labetalol, are used to treat high blood pressure during pregnancy.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
To promote fetal lung maturity.Betamethasone (Celestone) is a type of corticosteroid that can help reduce the risk of respiratory distress syndrome and other complications in preterm infants by accelerating the development of their lungs.It is recommended for pregnant women between 24 0/7 weeks and 36 6/7 weeks of gestation who are at risk of preterm delivery within 7 days.
Choice A is wrong because betamethasone does not suppress uterine contractions.
It has no effect on the cause of preterm labor.
Choice B is wrong because betamethasone does not prevent infection.
It may actually increase the risk of infection by suppressing the immune system.
Choice D is wrong because betamethasone does not reduce maternal blood pressure.
It may actually cause hypertension and hyperglycemia as side effects.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Lying on one’s back with knees bent while using the monitor is not recommended for women at risk of preterm labor, as it can put pressure on the inferior vena cava, a major vein leading back to the heart.This can cause low blood pressure and reduce blood flow to the uterus and the baby.A better position is to lie on one’s side with a pillow at the back for support.
Choice A is correct because emptying the bladder before applying the monitor can reduce interference from urine contractions and make the readings more accurate.
Choice C is correct because pressing the event marker every time one feels a contraction can help record the frequency and duration of uterine activity.
Choice D is correct because using the monitor for at least 1 hour twice a day can provide sufficient data on uterine contractions and help detect early signs of preterm labor.
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