A client is diagnosed with gestational hypertension and is receiving magnesium sulfate. Which finding would the nurse interpret as indicating a therapeutic level of medication?
Difficulty in arousing
Deep tendon reflexes 2+
Urinary output of 30 mL per hour
Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/minute
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because difficulty in arousing is a sign of magnesium toxicity, which is a serious complication of magnesium sulfate therapy. Magnesium toxicity can cause central nervous system depression, muscle weakness, and cardiac arrest. The nurse should monitor the client's level of consciousness and stop the infusion if the client becomes lethargic or unresponsive.
Choice B Reason: This is correct because deep tendon reflexes 2+ indicate a normal and expected response to magnesium sulfate therapy. Magnesium sulfate is a muscle relaxant that can reduce the risk of seizures in gestational hypertension. The nurse should assess the client's deep tendon reflexes regularly and maintain them at 2+ or slightly diminished.
Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because urinary output of 30 mL per hour is below the normal range of 40 to 80 mL per hour and may indicate renal impairment or dehydration. Magnesium sulfate can cause renal toxicity or fluid retention, which can affect the urinary output. The nurse should monitor the client's urinary output and fluid balance and report any abnormalities to the doctor.
Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because respiratory rate of 10 breaths/minute is below the normal range of 12 to 20 breaths/minute and may indicate respiratory depression. Magnesium sulfate can cause respiratory depression or failure, which can be life-threatening. The nurse should monitor the client's respiratory rate and oxygen saturation and administer oxygen or antidote if needed.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because wearing spandex-type full-length pants can constrict the blood flow and increase the swelling in the feet. The nurse should advise the woman to wear loose-fitting clothes and comfortable shoes that do not squeeze or rub her feet.
Choice B Reason: This is correct because elevating the legs when sitting can improve venous return and reduce the swelling in the feet. The nurse should encourage the woman to elevate her legs above her heart level whenever possible and avoid crossing her legs or standing for long periods.
Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because limiting the intake of fluids can cause dehydration and worsen the swelling in the feet. The nurse should recommend the woman drink plenty of water and other healthy fluids to maintain hydration and flush out excess sodium and waste products from her body.
Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because eliminating salt from the diet can cause electrolyte imbalance and affect the fluid balance in the body. The nurse should advise the woman to consume salt in moderation and avoid processed foods that are high in sodium.
Correct Answer is ["2"]
Explanation
To calculate how many capsules to administer per dose, the nurse should divide the ordered dose by the available dose and round to the nearest whole number.
The ordered dose is 50 mg.
The available dose is 25 mg per capsule.
Therefore, the number of capsules to administer per dose is 50 mg / 25 mg = 2 capsules.
The answer should be rounded to the nearest whole number and use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.
Therefore, the final answer is 2 capsules.
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