The nurse is caring for a pregnant woman receiving an intravenous infusion with magnesium sulfate. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
a. Count respirations and report a rate of less than 12 breaths/min.
b. Count respirations and report a rate of more than 20 breaths/min.
c. Check blood pressure and report a rate of less than 100/60 mm Hg.
d. Monitor urinary output and report a rate of less than 100 mL/hr.
ANS: A
Excessive magnesium sulfate may cause respiratory depression.
You might also like to view...
The clinic nurse understands that children who come for well-child visits at age 10 are in the process of developing which of the following attributes?
A. Attachment B. Coordination C. Personal values D. Self-identity
Which nursing intervention should be completed immediately after the physician has performed a needle liver biopsy?
a. Assisting to ambulate for the bathroom b. Keeping the patient on the right side for a minimum of 2 hours c. Taking vital signs every 4 hours d. Keeping the patient on the left side for a minimum of 4 hours
The nurse is teaching a group of nursing students about dofetilide [Tikosyn] to treat dysrhyth-mias. Which statement by a student indicates understanding of the teaching?
a. "Dofetilide is a first-line medication to treat atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation." b. "Dofetilide carries a lower risk of causing torsades de pointes than other drugs." c. "Dofetilide is used for patients with se-vere symptoms of atrial dysrhythmias." d. "Dofetilide may be safely used as outpa-tient therapy to treat atrial fibrillation."
The nurse is teaching a patient who will be discharged home with a prescription for an enteric-coated tablet. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the teaching?
a. "I may crush the tablet and put it in applesauce to improve absorption." b. "I should consume acidic foods to enhance absorption of this medication." c. "I should expect a delay in onset of the drug's effects after taking the tablet." d. "I should take this medication with high-fat foods to improve its action."