Question

The nurse is providing care to a client with preeclampsia who is receiving magnesium sulfate 2 g/hr. The nurse receives a call from the laboratory technician indicating that the client has a magnesium level of 6.4 mEq/L (0.30 mmol/L). What is the next nursing action?

a. Stopping the infusion
b. Assessing the client's deep tendon reflexes
c. Assessing the client's level of consciousness.
d. Documenting the level in the client's electronic medical record:

Answer 1

The next nursing action is to stop the infusion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The next nursing action when the laboratory reports a magnesium level of 6.4 mEq/L (0.30 mmol/L) for a client with preeclampsia who is receiving magnesium sulfate 2 g/hr is to stop the infusion. High magnesium levels can lead to magnesium toxicity, which can cause serious side effects such as depressed reflexes, decreased level of consciousness, and respiratory depression. Therefore, it is important to stop the infusion to prevent further complications.