The nurse is monitoring a client with severe preeclampsia who is ...

[Wadzanai]

The nurse is monitoring a client with severe preeclampsia who is on IV magnesium sulfate. Which signs of magnesium toxicity should the nurse monitor for? (Select all that apply.)
 
  a. Cool, clammy skin
  b. Altered sensorium
  c. Pulse oximeter reading of 95
  d. Respiratory rate of less than 12 breaths/min
  e. Absence of deep tendon reflexes

Question 2

A preeclamptic patient is receiving an IV infusion of magnesium sulfate. On assessment, the nurse notes that the patient's urinary output has been 20 mL/hr for the past 2 hours and her deep tendon reflexes are absent.
 
  The health care provider prescribes calcium gluconate, 1 g of a 10 solution. The standard rate of infusion is 1 mL/min. How many minutes will it take for the nurse to administer the prescribed calcium?
 
  a. 1
  b. 5
  c. 10
  d. 15

[Jsherida]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B, D, E
Signs of magnesium toxicity include the following:
 Respiratory rate of less than 12 breaths/min (hospitals may specify a rate < 14 breaths/min)
 Maternal pulse oximeter reading lower than 95
 Absence of deep tendon reflexes
 Sweating, flushing
 Altered sensorium (confused, lethargic, slurred speech, drowsy, disoriented)
 Hypotension
 Serum magnesium value above the therapeutic range of 4 to 8 mg/dL
Cold, clammy skin and a pulse oximeter reading of 95 would not be signs of toxicity.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
A 10 solution contains 10 g in 100 mL.
X minutes = 1 minute  100 mL  1 g = 10 minutes
1 mL 10 g

[Wadzanai]

TYSM

[scottmt]

Excellent