A nurse is preparing to administer antihypertensive therapy to a client with severe pre-eclampsia.

Which of the following blood pressure readings is the target goal for this client?

Answer is A and C. Eclampsia is a life-threatening complication of pregnancy that causes seizures due to severe hypertension.The nurse should monitor the fetal heart rate and uterine activity continuously to assess for signs of fetal distress or placental abruption.The nurse should also maintain a dark and quiet environment to reduce stimuli that might trigger seizures.

Statement B is wrong because administering oxytocin to augment labor can increase the risk of uterine rupture and placental abruption in a patient with eclampsia.

Statement D is wrong because encouraging oral fluids and a high-protein diet can worsen the fluid retention and renal impairment in a patient with eclampsia.

Statement E is wrong because assessing for signs of placental abruption is not enough.The nurse should also monitor the vital signs, urine output, neurological status, and laboratory values of the patient with eclampsia.

Normal ranges for blood pressure are less than 120/80 mmHg for non-pregnant adults and less than 140/90 mmHg for pregnant women.Normal ranges for protein in urine are less than 150 mg/day for non-pregnant adults and less than 300 mg/day for pregnant women.

Protein excretion of 450 mg indicates proteinuria.Proteinuria is the presence of excess protein in the urine, which can be a sign of kidney damage or disease.Normal protein excretion in a 24-hour urine collection is less than 150 mg.

Choice A is wrong because protein excretion of 150 mg is within the normal range.

Choice B is wrong because protein excretion of 250 mg is slightly above the normal range, but not enough to indicate proteinuria.

Choice C is wrong because protein excretion of 350 mg is also above the normal range, but not enough to indicate proteinuria.

Preeclampsia is a condition that affects some pregnant women, usually after 20 weeks of pregnancy.It causes high blood pressure and proteinuria, which can harm both the mother and the baby.A 24-hour urine collection is a simple lab test that measures what’s in the urine and checks kidney function.The test is done by collecting all the urine passed in a 24-hour period in a special container that must be kept cool until returned to the lab.