Antenatal and postnatal complications Related

Review Antenatal and postnatal complications related questions and content

A patient taking magnesium sulfate has a respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute. In addition to discontinuing the medication, which action should the nurse take?

  • A. Increase the patient's IV fluids.
  • B. Administer calcium gluconate.
  • C. Vigorously stimulate the patient.
  • D. Instruct the patient to take deep breaths.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administer calcium gluconate. This is because magnesium sulfate can lead to respiratory depression by inhibiting neuromuscular transmission. Calcium gluconate is the antidote as it competes with magnesium for binding sites, reversing its effects. Increasing IV fluids (A) is not directly related to addressing respiratory depression. Vigorously stimulating the patient (C) can exacerbate respiratory depression. Instructing the patient to take deep breaths (D) may not be effective in addressing respiratory depression caused by magnesium sulfate.