QUESTION: "The physician orders magnesium sulfate intravenously for a pregnant client with premature rupture of the membranes who begins to have contractions every 10 minutes. The nurse explains to the client that the primary purpose of magnesium sulfate is to do which of the following?"
CHOICES
( X ) a.) Provide sedation.
( X ) b.) Combat hypomagnesemia.
( X ) c.) Improve fetal lung function.
( O ) d.) Inhibit contractions.
RATIONALE: The primary purpose of the magnesium sulfate is to inhibit uterine contractions. Compared with intravenous ritodrine, magnesium sulfate causes fewer side effects. The client may experience a sedative effect from magnesium sulfate. However, this is not its purpose. Magnesium sulfate is not given to combat hypomagnesemia. Magnesium sulfate has no effect on the fetal pulmonary system and lung function. NURSING PROCESS STEP: Implementation CLIENT NEEDS CATEGORY: Physiological integrity CLIENT NEEDS SUBCATEGORY: Pharmacological and parenteral therapies
