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Introduction ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a client with pre-eclampsia who is receiving magnesium sulfate.
What is the rationale for administering this medication?
Magnesium sulfate is given to reduce central nervous system irritability and prevent seizures in clients with preeclampsia.Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder that occurs after 20 weeks of gestation and is characterized by elevated blood pressure, proteinuria, edema, headache, epigastric pain, and vision changes.
Magnesium sulfate does not lower blood pressure.Some antihypertensive drugs might be given to manage blood pressure in clients with preeclampsia.
Magnesium sulfate does not increase urine output.In fact, it can cause urinary retention and oliguria as adverse effects.
Magnesium sulfate does not promote fetal lung maturity.
It is given to prevent maternal complications, not fetal ones.Corticosteroids might be given to promote fetal lung maturity if delivery is anticipated before 34 weeks of gestation.
To prevent seizures. Magnesium sulfate is given to reduce central nervous system irritability and prevent seizures in clients with preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder that occurs after 20 weeks of gestation and is characterized by elevated blood pressure, proteinuria, edema, headache, epigastric pain, and vision changes.
Choice B is wrong because magnesium sulfate does not lower blood pressure. Some antihypertensive drugs might be given to manage blood pressure in clients with preeclampsia.
Choice C is wrong because magnesium sulfate does not increase urine output. In fact, it can cause urinary retention and oliguria as adverse effects.
Choice D is wrong because magnesium sulfate does not promote fetal lung maturity.
It is given to prevent maternal complications, not fetal ones. Corticosteroids might be given to promote fetal lung maturity if delivery is anticipated before 34 weeks of gestation.