A nurse is caring for a client who has eclampsia and is receiving magnesium sulfate and hydralazine.

The client’s blood pressure is 150/90 mmHg, pulse is 88/min, respirations are 18/min, and oxygen saturation is 97%.

The nurse notes that the client’s deep tendon reflexes are absent.

Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Stop the magnesium sulfate infusion

Increase the rate of the hydralazine infusion

Administer calcium gluconate IV push

Prepare for immediate delivery of the fetus

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Stop the magnesium sulfate infusion.

The client is showing signs of magnesium toxicity, such as absent deep tendon reflexes, which can lead to respiratory depression and cardiac arrest.

Magnesium sulfate is an anticonvulsant that is used to prevent seizures in eclampsia, but it can also cause vasodilation and hypotension.

The nurse should stop the infusion and monitor the client’s vital signs and neurological status.

Choice B. Increase the rate of the hydralazine infusion is wrong because hydralazine is an antihypertensive that lowers blood pressure.

The client’s blood pressure is already within the normal range for eclampsia (140/90 to 160/110 mmHg), so increasing the rate of hydralazine could cause hypotension and compromise placental perfusion.

Choice C. Administer calcium gluconate IV push is wrong because calcium gluconate is an antidote for magnesium toxicity, but it should not be given IV push.

It should be given slowly over 10 to 20 minutes to avoid cardiac arrhythmias and bradycardia.

Choice D. Prepare for immediate delivery of the fetus is wrong because delivery of the fetus is not indicated at this time.

The client’s vital signs are stable and there is no evidence of fetal distress or placental abruption.

Delivery of the fetus is the definitive treatment for eclampsia, but it should be done when the maternal and fetal conditions are optimal.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

This is a manifestation of severe preeclampsia that indicates liver involvement and can precede a seizure.

The nurse should report this finding to the provider immediately and prepare for possible delivery of the baby.

Choice A is wrong because blood pressure of 150/90 mm Hg is a sign of mild preeclampsia, not severe.Severe preeclampsia is diagnosed when the systolic pressure is 160 mm Hg or higher or the diastolic pressure is 110 mm Hg or higher.

Choice B is wrong because urine protein of 2+ is also a sign of mild preeclampsia, not severe.Severe preeclampsia is diagnosed when the urine protein is 3+ or higher.

Choice D is wrong because facial edema is a common finding in normal pregnancy and does not indicate severe preeclampsia.Other signs of severe preeclampsia include headache, blurred vision, oliguria, thrombocytopenia, and pulmonary edema.

A. Respiratory rate 10/min B. Urine output 40 mL/hr C. Patellar reflex 2+ D. Serum magnesium level 4.5 mEq/L

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Respiratory rate 10/min.This indicatesmuscle weaknessanddifficulty breathing, which are symptoms ofmagnesium toxicity.Magnesium sulfate is a medication that can cause magnesium overdose if given in excess or if the patient has impaired kidney function.

Choice B.Urine output 40 mL/hr is wrong because this is within the normal range for urine output, which is 30 to 50 mL/hr.Urine output may decrease in severe cases of magnesium toxicity due to urine retention.

Choice C. Patellar reflex 2+ is wrong because this is a normal finding for the knee-jerk reflex.A low or absent patellar reflex may indicate magnesium toxicity, as it reflectsmuscle weaknessandnerve dysfunction.

Choice D.Serum magnesium level 4.5 mEq/L is wrong because this is within the normal range for serum magnesium, which is 1.7 to 2.3 mEq/L.Serum magnesium levels above 2.6 mEq/L can indicate hypermagnesemia or magnesium overdose.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is assessing a client who is 24 weeks pregnant and has preeclampsia. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider as a manifestation of severe preeclampsia?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is assessing a client who has severe preeclampsia and is receiving magnesium sulfate via continuous IV infusion. Which of the following findings should alert the nurse to suspect magnesium toxicity?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is planning to administer hydralazine to a client with severe pre-eclampsia who is receiving magnesium sulfate intravenously. Which of the following actions should the nurse take before giving the medication? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client who had preeclampsia and delivered her baby 2 days ago. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

A nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate therapy for a client with pre-eclampsia. Which outcome would indicate that the therapy is successful?

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client with severe pre-eclampsia who is receiving magnesium sulfate intravenously. Which of the following results should the nurse notify the provider about? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate therapy for a client who has eclampsia. Which of the following outcomes indicates that the therapy is successful?

A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about the risk factors for pre-eclampsia. Which of the following should the nurse include? (Select all that apply).

A nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate therapy for a client with eclampsia. What clinical indicator would suggest that the therapy is successful?

A nurse is monitoring a client with severe pre-eclampsia who is receiving magnesium sulfate infusion. What is the antidote for magnesium sulfate toxicity?