Final answer:
For a client with severe gestational hypertension, a nurse should administer magnesium sulfate, monitor the patient closely, and consult a healthcare provider. Ambulation is not advised, and terbutaline or low-dose aspirin are not suitable for treating severe hypertension in this context.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a nurse is caring for an antepartum client who has severe gestational hypertension, the priority is to stabilize the mother's blood pressure and ensure the safety of both the mother and fetus. Encouraging ambulation (option a) is not advisable as physical activity can raise blood pressure further. Administering terbutaline (option c) is not appropriate as terbutaline is used to relax the uterus and stop premature labor, not to treat hypertension. Administering low-dose aspirin (option d) is a preventive strategy used earlier in pregnancy to reduce the risk of preeclampsia in certain at-risk patients, not for the treatment of severe gestational hypertension.
The correct action (option b) is to administer magnesium sulfate, as this medication is used to prevent seizures in patients with severe preeclampsia or eclampsia, which are significant risks associated with severe gestational hypertension. It should be administered under close monitoring in a hospital setting. In any case of severe gestational hypertension, the nurse should follow standardized protocols and work in consultation with a healthcare provider.