A nurse is administering magnesium sulfate IV to a client who has severe preeclampsia.
Which of the following assessments should the nurse perform to monitor for magnesium toxicity? Select all that apply.
Deep tendon reflexes
Respiratory rate
Urine output
Fetal heart rate
Serum magnesium level
Correct Answer : A,B,C,E
The correct answer is choice A, B, C and E. The nurse should monitor for magnesium toxicity by assessing the deep tendon reflexes, respiratory rate, urine output and serum magnesium level of the client who has severe preeclampsia and is receiving magnesium sulfate IV. Magnesium toxicity can cause life-threatening complications such as hypotension, areflexia (loss of DTRs), respiratory depression, respiratory arrest, oliguria, shortness of breath, chest pains, slurred speech and cardiac arrest. The nurse should also have calcium chloride ready as an antidote for magnesium toxicity.
Choice D is wrong because fetal heart rate is not a direct indicator of magnesium toxicity. However, the nurse should still monitor the fetal heart rate and uterine activity per the Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM) Guideline.
Normal ranges for the assessments are:
• Deep tendon reflexes: 1+ to 4+ (normal to hyperactive)
• Respiratory rate: 12 to 20 breaths per minute
• Urine output: at least 30 mL per hour
• Serum magnesium level: 4 to 7 mg/dL (therapeutic range for preeclampsia)
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Headache that does not respond to analgesics.This is a possible sign of postpartum pre-eclampsia, a rare condition that occurs when a woman has high blood pressure and excess protein in her urine soon after childbirth.Postpartum pre-eclampsia can cause seizures and other serious complications if not treated.
Choice B is wrong because breast engorgement and tenderness are normal symptoms of breastfeeding and do not indicate postpartum pre-eclampsia.
Choice C is wrong because lochia rubra with small clots is a normal discharge of blood and tissue from the uterus after delivery and does not indicate postpartum pre-eclampsia.
Choice D is wrong because perineal pain and swelling are common after vaginal delivery and do not indicate postpartum pre-eclampsia.
Normal ranges for blood pressure are below 120/80 mm Hg and for protein in urine are below 150 mg/day.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
“I should take a baby aspirin every day as prescribed.” Taking a baby aspirin daily has been shown to reduce the risk of developing preeclampsia by about 15%.If you have risk factors for preeclampsia, your healthcare provider may recommend starting aspirin in early pregnancy (by 12 weeks gestation).
Choice A is wrong because avoiding foods that are high in sodium does not prevent preeclampsia.Sodium intake does not affect blood pressure in pregnancy.
Choice B is wrong because lying on your left side for at least 2 hours a day does not prevent preeclampsia.However, lying on your left side may help improve blood flow to your placenta and your baby.
Choice C is wrong because checking your blood pressure at home every day does not prevent preeclampsia.However, monitoring your blood pressure at home may help detect signs of preeclampsia early and alert you to seek medical attention if needed.
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