HELLP Syndrome
HELLP Syndrome ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is preparing to administer magnesium sulfate to a client with HELLP syndrome.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.)
Monitoring the client’s deep tendon reflexes is a way to assess the client’s neuromuscular status and the risk of magnesium toxicity. Magnesium sulfate can cause muscle weakness and decreased reflexes.
Checking the client’s urine output every hour is a way to monitor the client’s renal function and fluid balance. Magnesium sulfate is excreted by the kidneys and can cause oliguria and fluid overload.
Administering calcium gluconate as an antidote if needed is a way to treat magnesium toxicity. Calcium gluconate reverses the effects of magnesium sulfate on the neuromuscular and cardiovascular systems.
Keeping a bag of 0.9% sodium chloride solution at the bedside is a way to prepare for possible complications of magnesium sulfate therapy such as hypotension, pulmonary edema, or cardiac arrest. Normal saline can help restore blood pressure and fluid balance.
Flushing the IV line with heparin before and after infusion is not necessary or recommended for magnesium sulfate administration. Heparin is an anticoagulant that can increase the risk of bleeding and is not compatible with magnesium sulfate.
The correct answer is choice A, B, C and D. Here is why:
• Choice A is correct because monitoring the client’s deep tendon reflexes is a way to assess the client’s neuromuscular status and the risk of magnesium toxicity. Magnesium sulfate can cause muscle weakness and decreased reflexes.
• Choice B is correct because checking the client’s urine output every hour is a way to monitor the client’s renal function and fluid balance. Magnesium sulfate is excreted by the kidneys and can cause oliguria and fluid overload.
• Choice C is correct because administering calcium gluconate as an antidote if needed is a way to treat magnesium toxicity. Calcium gluconate reverses the effects of magnesium sulfate on the neuromuscular and cardiovascular systems.
• Choice D is correct because keeping a bag of 0.9% sodium chloride solution at the bedside is a way to prepare for possible complications of magnesium sulfate therapy such as hypotension, pulmonary edema, or cardiac arrest. Normal saline can help restore blood pressure and fluid balance.
• Choice E is wrong because flushing the IV line with heparin before and after infusion is not necessary or recommended for magnesium sulfate administration. Heparin is an anticoagulant that can increase the risk of bleeding and is not compatible with magnesium sulfate.