A client is diagnosed with preeclampsia and is receiving magnesium sulfate IV for seizure prophylaxis.
The nurse should monitor which of the following laboratory values?
Serum magnesium level
Serum potassium level
Serum sodium level
Serum calcium level
The Correct Answer is A
The correct answer is choice A) Serum magnesium level. Magnesium sulfate is a mineral that reduces seizure risks in women with preeclampsia. It is often given intravenously and can also be used to prolong pregnancy for up to two days. However, magnesium sulfate can also cause side effects and toxicity, such as respiratory depression, muscle weakness, and cardiac arrest. Therefore, the nurse should monitor the serum magnesium level to ensure that it is within the therapeutic range of 4 to 7 mg/dL.
Choice B) Serum potassium level is wrong because magnesium sulfate does not affect the potassium level significantly.
Potassium is an electrolyte that regulates the nerve and muscle function, especially the heart.
The normal range of potassium level is 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L.
Choice C) Serum sodium level is wrong because magnesium sulfate does not affect the sodium level significantly.
Sodium is another electrolyte that helps maintain fluid balance and blood pressure.
The normal range of sodium level is 135 to 145 mEq/L.
Choice D) Serum calcium level is wrong because magnesium sulfate does not affect the calcium level significantly.
Calcium is a mineral that is important for bone health, blood clotting, and muscle contraction.
The normal range of calcium level is 8.5 to 10.2 mg/dL.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice D. Hemoglobin 6 g/dL, platelets 25,000/mm3, AST 120 U/L, ALT 100 U/L.
This is because HELLP syndrome is a pregnancy complication that causes hemolysis (breaking down of red blood cells), elevated liver enzymes (indicating liver injury), and low platelet count (impairing blood clotting).
Choice A is wrong because hemoglobin 12 g/dL, platelets 150,000/mm3, AST 20 U/L, ALT 18 U/L are all within normal ranges and do not indicate HELLP syndrome.
Choice B is wrong because hemoglobin 10 g/dL, platelets 100,000/mm3, AST 40 U/L, ALT 35 U/L are mildly abnormal and may suggest mild preeclampsia but not HELLP syndrome.
Choice C is wrong because hemoglobin 8 g/dL, platelets 50,000/mm3, AST 80 U/L, ALT 70 U/L are moderately abnormal and may suggest moderate preeclampsia or incomplete HELLP syndrome but not full HELLP syndrome.
Normal ranges for these laboratory tests are:
• Hemoglobin: 11.5 to 16.5 g/dL for women.
• Platelets: 150,000 to 450,000/mm3 for adults.
• AST: 10 to 40 U/L for adults.
• ALT: 7 to 56 U/L for adults.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice D. All of the above.All of these factors increase a woman’s risk for developing gestational hypertension.
Choice A is wrong because nulliparity (having no previous pregnancies) is a risk factor for gestational hypertension.Rates in nulliparous women range from 6% to 17% while rates in multiparous women range from 2% to 4%.
Choice B is wrong because age younger than 20 years is a risk factor for gestational hypertension.Pregnant women more than 40 years or less than 18 years are at risk of gestational hypertension.
Choice C is wrong because history of chronic renal disease is a risk factor for gestational hypertension.High blood pressure can also cause problems during and after delivery, such as preeclampsia, eclampsia, stroke, and placental abruption.
Gestational hypertension is blood pressure greater than or equal to 140/90 that begins during the latter half of pregnancy (typically after 20 weeks) and goes away after childbirth.It can put the mother and her baby at risk for problems during the pregnancy, such as preterm delivery and low birth weight.
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