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","B","C","E"]
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A, B, C and E.The nurse should monitor the client’s deep tendon reflexes hourly because magnesium sulfate can cause neuromuscular blockade and decreased reflexes.The nurse should keep calcium gluconate readily available because it is the antidote for magnesium toxicity.The nurse should maintain a urine output of at least 40 mL/hr because magnesium is excreted by the kidneys and low urine output can indicate renal impairment or fluid overload.The nurse should check the client’s blood pressure every 15 minutes because magnesium sulfate can cause hypotension and preeclampsia can cause hypertension.
Choice D is wrong because the medication should not be infused via a peripheral IV line, but rather through a central line or a large-bore IV catheter to prevent tissue damage.
Correct Answer is ["A","C"]
Explanation
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.
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