Antenatal care for complicated pregnancies Related

Review Antenatal care for complicated pregnancies related questions and content

A patient with preeclampsia is being treated with bed rest and intravenous magnesium sulfate. The drug classification of this medication is a

  • A. diuretic.
  • B. tocolytic.
  • C. anticonvulsant.
  • D. antihypertensive.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: anticonvulsant. Magnesium sulfate is commonly used in preeclampsia to prevent seizures/eclampsia. It works by reducing neuromuscular transmission and excitability, making it an effective anticonvulsant. Diuretics (A) help remove excess fluid, tocolytics (B) inhibit uterine contractions, and antihypertensives (D) lower blood pressure, but they do not address the primary purpose of using magnesium sulfate in preeclampsia, which is to prevent seizures.