The patient has been on IV magnesium sulfate for severe preeclampsia for 24 hours. On assessment, the nurse finds the following vital signs: temperature of 37.3 C, HR 88, RR 9. B/P 140/90, absent deep tendon reflexes, and no ankle clonus. The patient complains, "I am so thirsty and warm," and seems lethargic. The nurse's first action is to:

Call for a STAT magnesium level

Do nothing, this is the expected action of magnesium

Prepare to administer hydralazine

Decrease or Discontinue the magnesium sulfate infusion

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A. Call for a STAT magnesium level. While obtaining a magnesium level is important to confirm magnesium toxicity, the priority action is to stop or reduce the infusion immediately to prevent further toxicity and respiratory depression.

B. Do nothing, this is the expected action of magnesium. Absent deep tendon reflexes, lethargy, and respiratory depression (RR 9) are signs of magnesium toxicity, not expected therapeutic effects. Immediate intervention is necessary to prevent worsening respiratory and cardiac complications.

C. Prepare to administer hydralazine. Hydralazine is used to treat hypertension in preeclampsia, but this patient’s blood pressure is not critically high, and the primary concern is magnesium toxicity, not hypertension. Administering hydralazine would not address the immediate life-threatening issue.

D. Decrease or Discontinue the magnesium sulfate infusion. The first action in magnesium toxicity is to stop or reduce the infusion to prevent further accumulation. If symptoms worsen, calcium gluconate, the antidote for magnesium toxicity, may be administered to reverse its effects, especially if respiratory depression progresses.

Nursing Test Bank

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Weight gain of 4 pounds in a month. A weight gain of 4 pounds in a month is within the expected range for pregnancy, especially in the third trimester. While rapid or excessive weight gain could indicate fluid retention and worsening heart failure, this amount alone is not immediately concerning.

B. Dyspnea with walking. Dyspnea on exertion in a pregnant woman with congestive heart disease is a serious concern. It may indicate pulmonary congestion, worsening heart failure, or reduced cardiac output. Any increasing shortness of breath, especially with minimal activity, should be reported immediately to prevent complications like pulmonary edema or decompensated heart failure.

C. Presence of striae gravidarum. Striae gravidarum (stretch marks) are a normal skin change in pregnancy due to rapid growth and stretching of the skin. They are not related to congestive heart disease and do not require reporting.

D. Patellar reflexes of +2. A +2 deep tendon reflex (DTR) is normal and does not indicate worsening cardiac status. Reflex abnormalities are more relevant in conditions such as preeclampsia, where hyperreflexia can signal worsening disease, but they are not a concern in heart disease.

A. Midplane contracture of the pelvis B. Disproportion of the pelvis. C. Low-lying placenta D. Compromised bearing-down efforts as a result of pain medication

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Midplane contracture of the pelvis. Pelvic contractures can lead to dystocia by restricting the fetal head's descent. A midplane contracture narrows the pelvic midsection, making labor prolonged and difficult. This is a common cause of dystocia.

B. Disproportion of the pelvis. Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD), where the fetal head is too large for the maternal pelvis, is a well-known cause of dystocia. It often results in prolonged labor, failure to progress, and the need for cesarean delivery.

C. Low-lying placenta. A low-lying placenta does not directly cause dystocia. Instead, it may lead to placenta previa, which often requires cesarean delivery before labor even begins. Since it does not typically cause prolonged or difficult labor, it is the least common cause of dystocia.

D. Compromised bearing-down efforts as a result of pain medication. Excessive pain medication, especially epidurals or narcotics, can weaken maternal pushing efforts, leading to prolonged second-stage labor. This is a recognized cause of dystocia, particularly in multiparous women.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A woman with a history of congestive heart disease is 36 weeks pregnant. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the primary health care practitioner?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The least common cause of long. difficult, or abnormal labor (dystocia) is:

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The nurse discovers a loop of the umbilical cord protruding through the vagina when preparing to perform a vaginal examination. The priority intervention is to:

Preconception counseling is critical to the outcome of a pregnancy for a patient with diabetes because poor glycemic control before and during early pregnancy is associated with:

A client at 35 weeks' gestation is admitted with a partial abruptio placenta and a Category III fetal heart rate tracing with minimal variability and a prolonged deceleration. The nurse anticipates a plan of care for this client that includes most importantly:

After delivering a healthy baby boy with epidural anesthesia, a woman on the after-birth unit complains of a severe headache. The nurse should anticipate which actions in the patient's plan of care? (Select all that apply.)

During augmentation of labor with intravenous oxytocin (Pitocin), a multiparous client becomes pale and diaphoretic and complains of severe lower abdominal pain with a tearing sensation. An abnormal FHR tracing is noted on the monitor. The nurse should suspect:

A woman with preeclampsia has a seizure. The nurse's primary duty during the seizure is to:

A client has been admitted to the labor and delivery suite for induction of labor for post-term pregnancy. Misoprostol (Cytotec) has been inserted. Which of the following findings would warrant stopping the Cytotec treatment?