Author Question: The patient that you are caring for has severe preeclampsia and is receiving a magnesium sulfate ... (Read 64 times)

Bob-Dole · **on:** Jun 28, 2018

The patient that you are caring for has severe preeclampsia and is receiving a magnesium sulfate infusion. You become concerned after assessment when the woman exhibits:

a. A sleepy, sedated affect. c. Deep tendon reflexes of 2.
b. A respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min. d. Absent ankle clonus.

Question 2

Your patient has been receiving magnesium sulfate for 20 hours for treatment of preeclampsia. She just delivered a viable infant girl 30 minutes ago. What uterine findings would you expect to observe/assess in this client?

a. Absence of uterine bleeding in the postpartum period
b. A fundus firm below the level of the umbilicus
c. Scant lochia flow
d. A boggy uterus with heavy lochia flow

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

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
A respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min indicates that the client is experiencing respiratory depression from magnesium toxicity. Because magnesium sulfate is a central nervous system depressant, the client will most likely become sedated when the infusion is initiated. Deep tendon reflexes of 2 and absent ankle clonus are normal findings.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Because of the tocolytic effects of magnesium sulfate, this patient most likely would have a boggy uterus with increased amounts of bleeding and a heavy lochia flow in the postpartum period.