Final answer:
The priority intervention for a pregnant patient with severe preeclampsia and 4+ reflexes is to administer magnesium sulfate to prevent convulsions. Options such as inducing labor or administering antihypertensive medications may follow based on the patient's condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The priority intervention for a pregnant patient admitted with severe preeclampsia, exhibiting proteinuria and 4+ reflexes, is administering magnesium sulfate. Magnesium sulfate is used in this case to prevent convulsions which can be a complication of severe preeclampsia, by acting as a cerebral vasodilator and anticonvulsant. It is vital to manage blood pressure and prevent seizures in patients with severe preeclampsia.
In answer to the provided options, the correct answer is d) Administer magnesium sulfate. Inducing labor (option a) might eventually be necessary depending on the gestational age and the severity of the preeclampsia, but it is not the initial priority intervention. Antihypertensive medications (option b) might be used to control blood pressure, and while important, the immediate concern with 4+ reflexes is preventing eclamptic seizures. Antibiotics (option c) are not indicated in the treatment of preeclampsia as it is not an infectious disease.
Hormone Responsible for Contractions During Labor
The hormone primarily responsible for contractions during labor is oxytocin (answer to question 37).