RN Nursing · High-Risk Pregnancy — Preterm Labor · Practice question
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving magnesium sulfate to suppress preterm labor. Which of the following parameters should the nurse plan to monitor? (Select All that Apply.)
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Maternal respiratory rate
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Uterine activity
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Maternal blood glucose
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FHR pattern
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Patellar reflexes
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Urinary output
Answer & explanation
Correct: Maternal respiratory rate · Uterine activity · FHR pattern · Patellar reflexes · Urinary output
Magnesium sulfate is a CNS depressant used as a tocolytic. Toxicity manifests as respiratory depression (RR <12), absent deep tendon reflexes (patellar), and decreased urine output (<30 mL/hr), since magnesium is renally excreted. The nurse monitors respiratory rate, DTRs, and urinary output to detect early toxicity. Uterine activity is monitored to evaluate tocolytic effectiveness, and FHR pattern is monitored because magnesium crosses the placenta and can cause decreased fetal heart rate variability. Maternal blood glucose is not affected by magnesium sulfate and is not a routine monitoring parameter. Antidote: calcium gluconate. Reference: AWHONN; ATI Maternal-Newborn.
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