PREECLAMPSIA AND PRETERM LABOR

Question 1

what medication helps with treatment of pre-eclampsia and how?

Answer 1

medication of choice for pre-eclampsia is magnesium sulfate and it is used as a prophylaxis or treatment to depress the CNS and prevent seizures in patients who have eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia

Question 2

what are signs of toxicity of mag sulfate that the nurse should teach the patient about?

Answer 2

1. loss of DTRs
2. urine output < 30 mL/hr
3. respiratory depression with <12 breaths/min
4. pulmonary edema
5. chest pain

Question 3

what is the antidote for magnesium sulfate?

Answer 3

calcium gluconate or calcium chloride

Question 4

what is the main nursing action when a patient goes into pre labor?

Answer 4

stop uterine contractions!

Question 5

what does mild pre-eclampsia look like?

Answer 5

gestational hypertension
transient headaches
episodes of irritability
edema

Question 6

what does severe pre-eclampsia look like?

Answer 6

BP 160/110 or greater
proteinuria > 3 and elevated creatinine
cerebral or visual disturbances
pulmonary or cardiac involvement with hepatic dysfunction
thrombocytopenia
epigastric pain

Question 7

what does eclampsia look like?

Answer 7

severe preeclampsia but with seizure activity or coma

Question 8

what are nursing interventions to help stop preterm labor?

Answer 8

1. acitvity restriction
2. left lateral position to increase blood flow to uterus and decrease uterine activity
   3 ensure hydration to prevent release of oxytocin which stimulates uterine contractions
3. monitor FHR and contractions

Question 9

what medications can be given for treatment of preterm labor?

Answer 9

1. magnesium sulfate
2. nifedipine
3. betamethasone

Question 10

why is magnesium sulfate given for preterm labor?

Answer 10

tocolytic that relaxes smooth muscle thus, inhibiting uterine activity by suppressing contractions

Question 11

who is magnesium sulfate contraindicated in?

Answer 11

avoid magnesium sulfate if >6 cm dilated, active vaginal bleeding, acute fetal distress, or >34 weeks gestation

Question 12

why is nifedipine given for pre term labor?

Answer 12

nifedipine is given to suppress contractions by inhibiting calcium from entering smooth muscles and IS NOT given at the same time as magnesium sulfate

Question 13

why is betamethasone given for pre term labor?

Answer 13

glucocorticoid given IM in 2 injections 24 hours apart and requires 24 hours to be effective, because it enhances fetal lung maturity and surfactant production