A nurse is monitoring a client with severe pre-eclampsia who is receiving magnesium sulfate intravenously.
Which of the following signs indicates magnesium toxicity and requires immediate intervention?
Loss of reflexes
Headache
Nausea
Blurred vision
The Correct Answer is A
According to Mayo Clinic, loss of reflexes is a sign of magnesium toxicity and requires immediate intervention.
Other signs of magnesium toxicity include:
• Decreased urine output
• Difficulty breathing
• Drowsiness or confusion
• Low blood pressure
• Slow heart rate
• Weakness
Choice B is wrong because headache is not a sign of magnesium toxicity.
It may be a symptom of preeclampsia or other conditions, but it does not indicate an overdose of magnesium sulfate.
Choice C is wrong because nausea is not a sign of magnesium toxicity.
It may be a side effect of magnesium sulfate or a symptom of preeclampsia or other conditions, but it does not indicate an overdose of magnesium sulfate.
Choice D is wrong because blurred vision is not a sign of magnesium toxicity.
It may be a symptom of preeclampsia or other conditions, but it does not indicate an overdose of magnesium sulfate.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Fetal heart rate decelerations indicate a possible compromise of fetal oxygenation and should be reported to the provider immediately.Decelerations can be caused by various factors such as cord compression, uterine hyperstimulation, maternal hypotension, or placental abruption.
Choice A is wrong because a fetal heart rate of 140 beats per minute is within the normal range of 110 to 160 beats per minute.
Choice B is wrong because uterine contractions every 10 minutes are not abnormal in a client with severe pre-eclampsia who is receiving magnesium sulfate.Magnesium sulfate is used to prevent seizures and lower blood pressure in pre-eclampsia, but it does not stop labor.
Choice D is wrong because uterine contractions lasting 60 seconds are not a sign of …
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
This indicates that the client has respiratory depression, which is a sign of magnesium toxicity.Magnesium sulfate is given to prevent and treat seizures in clients with eclampsia, but it can also cause adverse effects such as hypotension, decreased urine output, absent or diminished reflexes, and cardiac arrest.
Choice B is wrong because urine output of 50 mL/hr is within the normal range and does not indicate magnesium toxicity.The nurse should monitor the client’s urine output closely and report any decrease below 30 mL/hr.
Choice C is wrong because serum magnesium level of 6 mg/dL is within the therapeutic range of 4 to 7 mg/dL for clients receiving magnesium sulfate.The nurse should monitor the client’s serum magnesium level regularly and report any increase above 8 mg/dL, which indicates toxicity.
Choice D is wrong because patellar reflex of 2+ is normal and does not indicate magnesium toxicity.The nurse should assess the client’s deep tendon reflexes frequently and report any decrease or absence of reflexes, which indicates toxicity.
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