Question

A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing preeclampsia and has a new prescription for IV magnesium sulfate. Which of the following medications should the nurse anticipate administering if the client develops magnesium toxicity?

a) Protamine sulfate
b) Calcium gluconate
c) Naloxone
d) Acetylcysteine

Answer 1

The nurse should anticipate administering calcium gluconate if the client develops magnesium toxicity.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the event of magnesium toxicity, the nurse should anticipate administering calcium gluconate to the client.

Magnesium sulfate can cause magnesium toxicity, which can lead to symptoms such as respiratory depression, loss of deep tendon reflexes, and hypotension. Calcium gluconate is the antidote for magnesium toxicity and works by antagonizing the effects of magnesium on cardiac muscle contraction and neuromuscular transmission.

Protamine sulfate is used as an antidote for heparin overdose, not magnesium toxicity. Naloxone is a narcotic antagonist used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose. Acetylcysteine is administered to treat acetaminophen overdose.