A nurse is caring for a client with preeclampsia who is being treated with IV magnesium sulfate. The client’s respiratory rate is 10/min and deep-tendon reflexes are absent.
What action should the nurse take?
Prepare for an emergency cesarean birth
Position the client in Trendelenburg
Discontinue the medication infusion
Assess maternal blood glucose
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Preparing for an emergency cesarean birth may be necessary in some cases of preeclampsia, particularly if there are signs of fetal distress or if the condition is not responding to treatment. However, in this scenario, the client’s symptoms are indicative of magnesium toxicity, not worsening preeclampsia.
Choice B rationale
Positioning the client in Trendelenburg (with the head lower than the feet) is not typically used in the management of preeclampsia or magnesium toxicity.
Choice C rationale
Discontinuing the medication infusion is the correct action in this scenario. The client’s symptoms (respiratory rate of 10/min and absent deep-tendon reflexes) are indicative of magnesium toxicity, a potential complication of magnesium sulfate therapy. Magnesium sulfate is used in the management of preeclampsia to prevent seizures, but it can cause toxicity if the levels become too high. If signs of toxicity occur, the infusion should be discontinued immediately.
Choice D rationale
Assessing maternal blood glucose may be necessary in some cases, particularly if the client has a history of diabetes. However, it is not the priority in this scenario, as the client’s symptoms are indicative of magnesium toxicity, not hyperglycemia.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While a pattern of contractions can be a sign of labor, it is not the definitive sign of true labor. Contractions may also occur in false labor, also known as Braxton Hicks contractions. These contractions do not lead to changes in the cervix.
Choice B rationale
Changes in the cervix, including effacement (thinning) and dilation (opening), are the definitive signs of true labor. During true labor, contractions lead to progressive changes in the cervix, which allow for the baby to be born.
Choice C rationale
Rupture of the membranes, or “water breaking,” can occur in both true labor and false labor. Therefore, it is not the definitive sign of true labor.
Choice D rationale
The station of the presenting part refers to the position of the baby’s head (or other presenting part) in relation to the mother’s pelvis. While the station can change during labor as the baby descends into the pelvis, it is not the definitive sign of true labor.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale: An awake, alert, and crying newborn is a common observation and does not specifically indicate Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). Newborns have varying sleep-wake cycles, and it’s normal for them to have periods of being awake and alert. Crying is also a normal behavior for newborns as it’s their primary means of communication. It could indicate a variety of needs such as hunger, the need for a diaper change, or just the need for comfort and contact. Therefore, while an excessively crying baby could potentially be a sign of discomfort or distress, it is
not specifically indicative of NAS.
Choice B rationale: The presence of acrocyanosis, which is the bluish color of the hands and feet, is a normal finding in the first 24 to 48 hours of life due to immature circulation. It’s not specifically associated with NAS. NAS is a group of problems that occur in a newborn who was exposed to addictive opiate drugs while in the mother’s womb. Acrocyanosis is generally not a symptom of NAS.
Choice C rationale: A respiratory rate of 70/min is higher than the normal range (30-60/min) for a newborn and could indicate respiratory distress. However, it’s not specifically indicative of NAS. There are many potential causes of tachypnea (increased respiratory rate) in a newborn, including transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), pneumonia, meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), and more. While infants with NAS mayexperience symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, and rapid breathing, a high respiratory rate alone is not specifically indicative of NAS.
Choice D rationale: Jitteriness in the hands of a newborn can be a sign of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). NAS is a drug withdrawal syndrome in newborns that occurs primarily among opioid-exposed infants shortly after birth, often manifested by central nervous system irritability, autonomic overreactivity, and gastrointestinal tract dysfunction. Jitteriness or tremors, especially when disturbed, along with other signs such as high-pitched crying, poor feeding, and
loose stools, are more indicative of NAS.
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