Maternal / Newborn Question #24

Question

A 38-week gestation woman is diagnosed with pre-eclampsia four days earlier and is admitted to the hospital for a magnesium sulfate infusion. The nurse has prepared the room and will be cautious to have which medication at the bedside?

Answers

Calcium gluconate
- Rationale:
Naloxone
- Rationale:
Oxytocin
- Rationale:
Terbutaline
- Rationale:

Overview

Explanation

Calcium gluconate is an antidote to magnesium toxicity. The other selections are incorrect: Oxytocin is a hormone to enhance uterine contractions; Naloxone is an opiate antagonist; Terbutaline is a smooth muscle relaxant to help relax uterine contractions for preterm labor.