A pregnant woman has been receiving a magnesium sulfate infusion for treatment of severe preeclampsia for 24 hours.On assessment the nurse finds the following vital signs: temperature 37.3° C,pulse rate 88 beats/min,respiratory rate 10 breaths/min,blood pressure (BP)148/90 mm Hg,absent deep tendon reflexes,and no ankle clonus.The client complains,"I'm so thirsty and warm." The nurse:

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The client is displaying clinical signs and symptoms of magnesium toxicity.Magnesium should be discontinued immediately.Additionally,calcium gluconate,the antidote for magnesium,may be administered.Regardless of the magnesium level,the client is displaying clinical signs and symptoms of magnesium toxicity.The first action by the nurse should be to discontinue the infusion of magnesium sulfate.Hydralazine is an antihypertensive commonly used to treat hypertension in severe preeclampsia.Typically it is administered for a systolic BP greater than 160 mm Hg or a diastolic BP greater than 110 mm Hg.

A Pregnant Woman Has Been Receiving a Magnesium Sulfate Infusion