ATI RN Maternal Newborn 2023/24 1st Attempt & Retake Related

Review ATI RN Maternal Newborn 2023/24 1st Attempt & Retake related questions and content

A nurse is caring for a client who has preeclampsia and is receiving a continuous infusion of magnesium sulfate IV. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

  • A. Restrict hourly fluid intake to 150 mL/hr.
  • B. Have calcium gluconate readily available.
  • C. Assess deep tendon reflexes every 6 hr.
  • D. Monitor intake and output every 4 hr.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Have calcium gluconate readily available. Magnesium sulfate can lead to magnesium toxicity, causing muscle weakness, respiratory depression, and cardiac arrest. Calcium gluconate is the antidote for magnesium sulfate toxicity, as it antagonizes the effects of magnesium on skeletal muscle and cardiac function. It is essential to have calcium gluconate readily available in case of magnesium toxicity.
Incorrect Choices:
A: Restricting hourly fluid intake is not necessary for a client with preeclampsia receiving magnesium sulfate IV.
C: Assessing deep tendon reflexes every 6 hours is not the most critical action to take to prevent or manage magnesium toxicity.
D: Monitoring intake and output every 4 hours is important for overall client assessment but is not directly related to managing magnesium toxicity in this scenario.