Magnesium Sulfate is being administered intravenously to a client for pregnancy-induced hypertension.
Which assessment finding should the nurse identify as a complication of this treatment?

Choice A rationale:

With good control of maternal glucose levels, sudden and unexplained stillbirth is no longer a major concern. While controlling maternal glucose levels is important in diabetic pregnancies, it does not eliminate all risks, including the risk of stillbirth. However, the most significant cause of perinatal loss in diabetic pregnancies is congenital malformations. Poorly controlled diabetes during pregnancy can lead to structural abnormalities in the fetus, increasing the risk of perinatal loss.

Choice B rationale:

The most important cause of perinatal loss in diabetic pregnancy is congenital malformations. This is the correct answer. Poorly controlled diabetes increases the risk of congenital malformations in the fetus, making it a significant concern in diabetic pregnancies. Proper management of diabetes and prenatal care are essential to reduce this risk.

Choice C rationale:

Infants of mothers with diabetes have the same risks for respiratory distress syndrome because of careful monitoring. Infants of mothers with diabetes are at an increased risk of respiratory distress syndrome due to delayed lung maturation. Careful monitoring is essential, but it does not eliminate this risk. Proper management and timely interventions are necessary to minimize the impact of respiratory distress syndrome in these infants.

Choice D rationale:

At birth, the neonate of a diabetic mother is no longer at any greater risk. Infants of diabetic mothers are at increased risk for various complications, both during and after birth. These risks include hypoglycemia, respiratory distress syndrome, and hypocalcemia, among others. Close monitoring and appropriate interventions are required to ensure the well-being of the newborn.

Choice A rationale:

A stat magnesium sulfate level (Choice A) is unnecessary in this situation. The symptoms described - increased temperature, pulse rate, and blood pressure, along with absent deep tendon reflexes - indicate magnesium sulfate toxicity. Discontinuing the infusion and managing the symptoms take precedence over checking the magnesium sulfate level.

Choice B rationale:

Administering oxygen (Choice B) is important for maintaining the patient's oxygenation levels, but it does not address the magnesium sulfate toxicity. The primary intervention should be to discontinue the infusion and manage the symptoms.

Choice C rationale:

Discontinuing the magnesium sulfate infusion (Choice C) is the correct action in this situation. The symptoms, including absent deep tendon reflexes and the patient's complaint of thirst and warmth, indicate magnesium sulfate toxicity. Stopping the infusion is crucial to prevent further complications.

Choice D rationale:

Hydralazine (Choice D) is an antihypertensive medication and is not the appropriate intervention for magnesium sulfate toxicity. Managing magnesium sulfate toxicity involves discontinuing the infusion and providing supportive care.