A nurse is teaching a client with eclampsia about the purpose of corticosteroid therapy.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates understanding of the teaching?
“This medication will help lower my blood pressure.”
“This medication will help prevent seizures.”
“This medication will help my baby’s lungs develop faster.”
“This medication will help reduce inflammation in my body.”
The Correct Answer is C
“This medication will help my baby’s lungs develop faster.” Corticosteroid therapy is given to pregnant clients with eclampsia to accelerate fetal lung maturity and reduce the risk of respiratory distress syndrome in the newborn.
Some possible explanations for the other choices are:
• Choice A is wrong because corticosteroids do not lower blood pressure. Antihypertensive drugs such as hydralazine or labetalol are used to treat hypertension in eclampsia.
• Choice B is wrong because corticosteroids do not prevent seizures. Magnesium sulfate is the drug of choice for seizure prophylaxis and treatment in eclampsia.
• Choice D is wrong because corticosteroids do not reduce inflammation in the body. They may have anti-inflammatory effects in some conditions, but their main purpose in eclampsia is to enhance fetal lung development.
Normal ranges for blood pressure and proteinuria in pregnancy are:
• Blood pressure: less than 140/90 mm Hg
• Proteinuria: less than 300 mg/24 hours or less than 1+ on dipstick
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
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.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The target blood pressure goal for a client with severe pre-eclampsia is less than 160/110 mmHg.
This is because lowering the blood pressure too much or too fast can compromise the placental perfusion and fetal oxygenation.
Choice A is wrong because it is the target blood pressure goal for a client with chronic hypertension or gestational hypertension without severe features.
Choice B is wrong because it is the target blood pressure goal for a client with mild pre-eclampsia.
Choice D is wrong because it is too high and can increase the risk of maternal and fetal complications such as stroke, eclampsia, placental abruption, and fetal growth restriction.
Normal blood pressure ranges are less than 120/80 mmHg for systolic and diastolic pressures respectively.
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