Question

A nurse is caring for a client who is at 30 weeks of gestation and has prescription for magnesium sulfate IV to treat preterm labor. The nurse should notify the provider of which of the following adverse effects?

1. client reports nausea
2. urinary output of 40 mL/hr
3.. respiratory rate 10/min
4. client reports feeling flushed

Answer 1

The nurse should immediately notify the provider if the client being treated with magnesium sulfate for preterm labor has a respiratory rate of 10/min, as it may indicate magnesium sulfate toxicity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should notify the provider if the client has a respiratory rate of 10/min. This could indicate magnesium sulfate toxicity, which is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. Normal respiratory rates for adults are generally between 12 to 16 breaths per minute, so a rate of 10 could be concerning. While nausea and feeling flushed can be side effects of magnesium sulfate, and a urinary output of 40 mL/hr is on the low end of normal, it is the significantly reduced respiratory rate that is most alarming and warrants immediate attention.