Author Question: Preeclampsia is a unique disease process related only to human pregnancy. The exact cause of this ... (Read 31 times)

audie · **on:** Jun 28, 2018

Preeclampsia is a unique disease process related only to human pregnancy. The exact cause of this condition continues to elude researchers.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has developed a comprehensive list of risk factors associated with the development of preeclampsia. Which client exhibits the greatest number of these risk factors?
a. A 30-year-old obese Caucasian with her third pregnancy
b. A 41-year-old Caucasian primigravida
c. An African-American client who is 19 years old and pregnant with twins
d. A 25-year-old Asian-American whose pregnancy is the result of donor insemination

Question 2

Magnesium sulfate is given to women with preeclampsia and eclampsia to:

a. Improve patellar reflexes and increase respiratory efficiency.
b. Shorten the duration of labor.
c. Prevent and treat convulsions.
d. Prevent a boggy uterus and lessen lochial flow.

billybob123 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 28, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Three risk factors are present for this woman. She is of African-American ethnicity, is at the young end of the age distribution, and has a multiple pregnancy. In planning care for this client the nurse must monitor blood pressure frequently and teach the woman regarding early warning signs. The 30-year-old client only has one known risk factor, obesity. Age distribution appears to be U-shaped, with women less than 20 years and more than 40 years being at greatest risk. Preeclampsia continues to be seen more frequently in primigravidas; this client is a multigravida woman. Two risk factors are present for the 41-year-old client. Her age and status as a primigravida put her at increased risk for preeclampsia. Caucasian women are at a lower risk than African-American women. The Asian-American client exhibits only one risk factor. Pregnancies that result from donor insemination, oocyte donation, and embryo donation are at an increased risk of developing preeclampsia.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Magnesium sulfate is the drug of choice to prevent convulsions, although it can generate other problems. Loss of patellar reflexes and respiratory depression are signs of magnesium toxicity. Magnesium sulfate can increase the duration of labor. Women are at risk for a boggy uterus and heavy lochial flow as a result of magnesium sulfate therapy.