Postpartum Management
Postpartum Management ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is assessing a client who has postpartum pre-eclampsia and is receiving magnesium sulfate intravenously.
Which of the following findings should alert the nurse to suspect magnesium toxicity?
Respiratory rate of 10/min. This is because a decreased respiratory rate is a sign of magnesium toxicity, which can occur when a client receives magnesium sulfate intravenously to treat pre-eclampsia. Magnesium sulfate can depress the central nervous system and affect the respiratory center in the brain.
Urine output of 40 mL/hour is normal for a postpartum client and does not indicate magnesium toxicity.
Deep tendon reflexes of 2+ are normal and do not indicate magnesium toxicity. Magnesium toxicity can cause loss of deep tendon reflexes or hyporeflexia.
Serum magnesium level of 6 mg/dL is within the therapeutic range of 4 to 7 mg/dL for a client receiving magnesium sulfate. Magnesium toxicity can occur when the serum magnesium level exceeds 8 mg/dL.
Respiratory rate of 10/min. This is because a decreased respiratory rate is a sign of magnesium toxicity, which can occur when a client receives magnesium sulfate intravenously to treat pre-eclampsia. Magnesium sulfate can depress the central nervous system and affect the respiratory center in the brain.
Choice B is wrong because urine output of 40 mL/hour is normal for a postpartum client and does not indicate magnesium toxicity.
Choice C is wrong because deep tendon reflexes of 2+ are normal and do not indicate magnesium toxicity. Magnesium toxicity can cause loss of deep tendon reflexes or hyporeflexia.
Choice D is wrong because serum magnesium level of 6 mg/dL is within the therapeutic range of 4 to 7 mg/dL for a client receiving magnesium sulfate. Magnesium toxicity can occur when the serum magnesium level exceeds 8 mg/dL.