A patient is receiving magnesium sulfate for severe preeclampsia. ...

[AEWBW]

A patient is receiving magnesium sulfate for severe preeclampsia. The nurse must notify the attending physician immediately of which of the following findings?
 
  a. Patellar and biceps reflexes of +4
  b. Urinary output of 50 mL/hr
  c. Respiratory rate of 10 rpm
  d. Serum magnesium level of 5 mg/dL

Question 2

Which of the following signs or symptoms would the nurse expect to see in a woman with concealed abruptio placentae?
 
  a. Increasing abdominal girth measurements
  b. Profuse vaginal bleeding
  c. Bradycardia with an aortic thrill
  d. Hypothermia with chills

[zogaridan]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: c
Feedback
a. Magnesium sulfate has been ordered because the patient has severe pregnancy-induced hypertension. Patellar and biceps reflexes of +4 are symptoms of the disease.
b. The urinary output must be above 25 mL/hr.
c. The drop in respiratory rate may indicate that the patient is suffering from magnesium toxicity. The nurse should report the finding to the physician.
d. The therapeutic range of magnesium is 4 to 7 mg/dL.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: a
Feedback
a. The nurse would expect to see increasing abdominal girth measurements.
b. Profuse vaginal bleeding is rarely seen in placental abruption and is never seen when the abruption is concealed.
c. With excessive blood loss, the nurse would expect to see tachycardia.
d. The nurse would expect to see a stable temperature.

[AEWBW]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[scottmt]

Gracias!