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.)
Check the client’s blood pressure
Check the client’s pulse oximetry
Check the client’s reflexes
Check the client’s urine specific gravity
Check the client’s magnesium level
Correct Answer : A,E
The correct answer is choice A and E. The nurse should check the client’s blood pressure and magnesium level before giving hydralazine to a client with severe pre-eclampsia who is receiving magnesium sulfate intravenously.
• Choice A is correct because hydralazine is an antihypertensive drug that lowers blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels. The nurse should monitor the client’s blood pressure before and after giving hydralazine to ensure that it is within the target range and to avoid hypotension or rebound hypertension.
• Choice B is wrong because pulse oximetry is not directly related to hydralazine administration or pre-eclampsia. Pulse oximetry measures the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in the blood and can be affected by factors such as anemia, hypothermia, nail polish, or movement.
The nurse should monitor the client’s pulse oximetry as part of routine care, but it is not a priority before giving hydralazine.
• Choice C is wrong because checking the client’s reflexes is not directly related to hydralazine administration or pre-eclampsia. Reflexes are assessed to monitor for signs of magnesium toxicity, which can cause muscle weakness, respiratory depression, and cardiac arrest.
The nurse should check the client’s reflexes as part of routine care, but it is not a priority before giving hydralazine.
• Choice D is wrong because checking the client’s urine specific gravity is not directly related to hydralazine administration or pre-eclampsia. Urine specific gravity measures the concentration of solutes in the urine and can be affected by factors such as hydration status, renal function, or diuretic use.
The nurse should monitor the client’s urine specific gravity as part of routine care, but it is not a priority before giving hydralazine.
• Choice E is correct because magnesium sulfate is a drug that prevents and treats seizures in women with severe pre-eclampsia or eclampsia. The nurse should monitor the client’s magnesium level before and after giving magnesium sulfate to ensure that it is within the therapeutic range and to avoid magnesium toxicity.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Magnesium sulfate therapy is used to prevent seizures in women with preeclampsia, a complication of pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure and organ dysfunction.Seizures are a sign of eclampsia, a severe form of preeclampsia that can be life-threatening.
Therefore, if the therapy is successful, the woman should not have any seizures.
Choice B.Absence of proteinuria is wrong because proteinuria, or excess protein in urine, is a possible sign of preeclampsia, not eclampsia.
Proteinuria may not disappear even after magnesium sulfate therapy.
Choice C.Absence of edema is wrong because edema, or swelling, is a common symptom of pregnancy and may not be related to preeclampsia or eclampsia.
Edema may not disappear even after magnesium sulfate therapy.
Choice D.Absence of headache is wrong because headache is a symptom of preeclampsia, not eclampsia.
Headache may not disappear even after magnesium sulfate therapy.
Normal ranges for blood pressure are below 140/90 mm Hg and for protein in urine are below 300 mg per 24 hours.
Correct Answer is ["A","C"]
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A and C. A client with HELLP syndrome is at risk for bleeding, liver damage, and fluid overload or transfusion reaction.Therefore, the nurse should monitor vital signs and urine output to assess for signs of shock, hemorrhage, or renal failure.The nurse should also check for signs of fluid overload or transfusion reaction such as dyspnea, crackles, edema, fever, chills, or rash.
Choice B is wrong because corticosteroids are not indicated for clients with HELLP syndrome unless they have severe thrombocytopenia or need to delay delivery for fetal lung maturity.Corticosteroids may worsen the liver function and increase the risk of infection.
Choice D is wrong because encouraging oral intake of fluids and electrolytes may exacerbate fluid overload and hypertension in clients with HELLP syndrome.Fluid restriction and diuretics may be prescribed to reduce the risk of pulmonary edema and cerebral edema.
Choice E is wrong because maintaining bed rest and a quiet environment may not be sufficient to prevent the progression of HELLP syndrome.The definitive treatment for HELLP syndrome is delivery of the fetus and placenta as soon as possible.Bed rest and a quiet environment may help reduce blood pressure and stress, but they are not the main interventions for this condition.
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