Question

A nurse is collecting data from a client who is receiving magnesium sulfate via continuous IV infusion for reterm labor. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? o Tachypnea o Tachycardia o Hypotension o Hyperthermia

Answer 1

When administering magnesium sulfate via continuous IV infusion for preterm labor, a nurse should expect to observe hypotension as a common side effect due to the medication’s vasodilatory effects.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse collecting data from a client who is receiving magnesium sulfate via continuous IV infusion for preterm labor should expect to see signs that reflect the drug's physiological effects. Magnesium sulfate is typically used to prevent seizures in women with preeclampsia, but it’s also a tocolytic agent, which means it can help to stop contractions when given during preterm labor. Among its effects, hypotension (low blood pressure) is a common side effect due to magnesium sulfate's ability to vasodilate or widen blood vessels. Thus, hypotension is a finding that a nurse would expect when a patient is on this medication. Other possibilities like tachypnea (rapid breathing), tachycardia (rapid heart rate), and hyperthermia (high body temperature) are not typically associated with the administration of magnesium sulfate for preterm labor.

Answer 2

The nurse should expect "hypotension" and possibly a feeling of "warmth or mild hypothermia" as common findings when a client is receiving magnesium sulfate via continuous IV infusion for preterm labor. Tachypnea, tachycardia, and hyperthermia are not typical effects associated with magnesium sulfate administration in this context.

When a client is receiving magnesium sulfate via continuous IV infusion for preterm labor, the medication has specific effects on the body. Let's analyze the expected findings step by step:

1. Tachypnea (Rapid Breathing):

- Magnesium sulfate can have a central nervous system depressant effect, including on the respiratory center in the brain.

- This often leads to respiratory depression, resulting in a decreased respiratory rate (bradypnea) rather than tachypnea.

- Therefore, tachypnea is not an expected finding with magnesium sulfate infusion.

2. Tachycardia (Rapid Heart Rate):

- Magnesium sulfate typically causes cardiovascular effects, including vasodilation.

- Vasodilation often leads to a decrease in blood pressure (hypotension) rather than tachycardia.

- Therefore, tachycardia is not an expected finding with magnesium sulfate infusion.

3. Hypotension (Low Blood Pressure):

- Hypotension is a common expected finding when a client is receiving magnesium sulfate.

- Magnesium sulfate causes vasodilation and can lead to decreased blood pressure.

- Close monitoring of blood pressure is necessary when administering this medication.

4. Hyperthermia (Elevated Body Temperature):

- Hyperthermia or elevated body temperature is not typically associated with magnesium sulfate infusion.

- Instead, magnesium sulfate can have a mild hypothermic effect on the body, which may cause the client's body temperature to decrease slightly.

- Hypothermia or feeling warm due to the vasodilatory effects of magnesium sulfate is a more likely finding.