A nurse is teaching participants at a community center about advance directives. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

Rationale:

A. Administer magnesium sulfate to the client: Magnesium sulfate is typically used for neuroprotection before 32 weeks or to manage preeclampsia; it is not indicated for rupture of membranes at 36 weeks unless there are other risk factors.

B. Administer betamethasone to the client: Betamethasone is used to enhance fetal lung maturity, most beneficial before 34 weeks. At 36 weeks, the lungs are usually mature enough that corticosteroids are not routinely indicated.

C. Monitor the client's temperature every 2 hr: This helps detect early signs of chorioamnionitis, a serious infection risk after membrane rupture, especially with prolonged rupture.

D. Monitor fetal heart rate every 4 hr: Fetal heart monitoring should be more frequent in the presence of membrane rupture to promptly identify signs of distress or infection, not every 4 hours.

Rationale:

A. Prolonged QT interval: This is not a typical sign of morphine toxicity. QT prolongation is more commonly associated with certain antipsychotics, antiarrhythmics, or methadone, not opioids like morphine.

B. Fluid retention: Morphine does not typically cause fluid retention. While it may contribute to urinary retention, generalized fluid accumulation is not characteristic of opioid toxicity and may point to other causes like heart or renal failure.

C. Bradypnea: Respiratory depression, including bradypnea, is the hallmark sign of opioid toxicity. Morphine suppresses the brainstem’s respiratory centers, reducing respiratory rate and depth, which can become life-threatening without intervention.

D. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes: Opioids tend to cause central nervous system depression, which would more likely lead to diminished reflexes. Hyperactive reflexes are not associated with morphine toxicity and may suggest a different neurological issue.