A nurse is assessing a client with severe pre-eclampsia who reports a headache and blurred vision.
What other sign or symptom would indicate a worsening of the condition?
Epigastric pain
Facial edema
Proteinuria
Brisk reflexes
The Correct Answer is A
Epigastric pain is a sign of worsening pre-eclampsia that indicates liver damage. It can also be associated with HELLP syndrome, a severe complication of pre-eclampsia that involves hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count.
Choice B is wrong because facial edema is a common symptom of pregnancy and not specific to pre-eclampsia.
Choice C is wrong because proteinuria is a diagnostic criterion for pre-eclampsia, but not a sign of worsening condition.
Choice D is wrong because brisk reflexes are a normal finding in pregnancy and do not indicate pre-eclampsia severity.
Normal ranges for blood pressure are below 140/90 mmHg, and for proteinuria are less than 300 mg in 24-hour urine collection.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
To prevent blood pressure from exceeding 160/110 mmHg.The goal of pharmacological therapy for pre-eclampsia is to prevent severe hypertension that can lead to complications such as stroke, kidney failure, or placental abruption.
Choice A is wrong because maintaining blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg is the target for normal hypertension, not pre-eclampsia.
Choice B is wrong because reducing blood pressure by 25% within one hour is too rapid and can compromise blood flow to the placenta and the fetus.
Choice C is wrong because keeping diastolic blood pressure between 80 and 100 mmHg is not specific enough and does not account for the systolic blood pressure, which is also important.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
To prevent seizures.Magnesium sulfate is given to reduce central nervous system irritability and prevent seizures in clients with preeclampsia.Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder that occurs after 20 weeks of gestation and is characterized by elevated blood pressure, proteinuria, edema, headache, epigastric pain, and vision changes.
Choice B is wrong because magnesium sulfate does not lower blood pressure.Some antihypertensive drugs might be given to manage blood pressure in clients with preeclampsia.
Choice C is wrong because magnesium sulfate does not increase urine output.In fact, it can cause urinary retention and oliguria as adverse effects.
Choice D is wrong because magnesium sulfate does not promote fetal lung maturity.
It is given to prevent maternal complications, not fetal ones.Corticosteroids might be given to promote fetal lung maturity if delivery is anticipated before 34 weeks of gestation.
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