Final answer:
Magnesium sulfate acts as a CNS depressant, promoting vascular relaxation and preventing seizures. It does not increase blood pressure nor stimulate uterine contractions to induce labor as per the options provided.
Step-by-step explanation:
Magnesium sulfate has a variety of medical uses, and understanding its effects is important for health professionals.
Research indicates that magnesium sulfate acts as a CNS depressant, which can help in the control of blood pressure through vascular relaxation. This mechanism is facilitated by calcium antagonism, which is key to its ability to prevent seizures, particularly in conditions such as eclampsia. Magnesium sulfate does not increase blood pressure; instead, it helps relax blood vessels and decreases sympathetic nervous system activity, which could otherwise contribute to higher blood pressure. The claim that magnesium sulfate stimulates uterine contractions is not supported by the evidence provided, which instead outlines that it relaxes the uterus, possibly delaying the onset of labor, not inducing it. Therefore, the correct answer regarding the effects of magnesium sulfate from the options provided is that it prevents seizures.