HESI Basic Care of Dying Patient Related

Review HESI Basic Care of Dying Patient related questions and content

You are transporting a 20-year-old pregnant female from a local hospital to a medical facility that specializes in high-risk pregnancies when you note the patient is experiencing unexplained hypotension and bradycardia. The patient has a patent IV and is being administered magnesium that was initiated by hospital staff. On the cardiac monitor, the patient presents with a lengthening PR interval and signs of an impending high-degree nodal block. Which of the following interventions would be most appropriate in this case?

  • A. Increase the magnesium sulfate infusion rate, and administer a 1,000 mL normal saline bolus to support the patient's blood pressure
  • B. Stop the magnesium sulfate infusion immediately, and administer the appropriate dose of calcium chloride to correct the adverse effects of magnesium toxicity
  • C. Continue the infusion, but administer potassium chloride to counteract the adverse effects of the magnesium chloride administration
  • D. Reduce the infusion by half, and administer dextrose 50% to counteract the adverse cardiac effects caused by the magnesium chloride infusion
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Stop the magnesium sulfate infusion immediately, and administer the appropriate dose of calcium chloride to correct the adverse effects of magnesium toxicity.

Rationale:
1. Magnesium toxicity can lead to hypotension, bradycardia, and cardiac conduction abnormalities.
2. Stopping the magnesium infusion is crucial to prevent further adverse effects.
3. Calcium chloride is the antidote for magnesium toxicity as it competes with magnesium for binding sites on cardiac cells, restoring normal cardiac function.
4. Administering a normal saline bolus (choice A) would not address the underlying cause of magnesium toxicity.
5. Administering potassium chloride (choice C) is not appropriate as it can exacerbate the cardiac effects of magnesium toxicity.
6. Reducing the magnesium infusion and administering dextrose 50% (choice D) would not address the magnesium toxicity and may not reverse the cardiac effects.