Which of the following is not a nursing intervention when administering magnesium sulfate?

Which of the following is not a nursing intervention when administering magnesium sulfate?

• A. Monitoring blood glucose levels
• B. Monitoring vital signs
• C. Monitoring urine output
• D. Monitoring deep tendon reflexes

Answer: (A)

Monitoring blood glucose levels is not a typical nursing intervention specifically related to administering magnesium sulfate. Magnesium sulfate is primarily used for conditions such as preeclampsia or to manage seizures, and its administration requires close observation of parameters that directly relate to the drug’s effects. Vital signs must be regularly monitored because magnesium can cause changes in cardiac function and blood pressure. This is crucial to ensure that there are no adverse effects, such as respiratory depression or hypotension, which can occur with magnesium toxicity. Urine output is an important consideration as well, as magnesium excretion primarily occurs through the kidneys. Monitoring this output helps ensure that the kidney is functioning properly and can help identify any potential side effects associated with high levels of magnesium in the body. Deep tendon reflexes need to be monitored because magnesium sulfate acts as a central nervous system depressant. Loss of deep tendon reflexes can be an indicator of toxicity and necessitates immediate intervention. In contrast, while blood glucose monitoring is vital in certain circumstances, particularly in patients with diabetes or metabolic issues, it is not a direct concern when administering magnesium sulfate, making it the least relevant intervention in this context.

Monitoring blood glucose levels is not a typical nursing intervention specifically related to administering magnesium sulfate. Magnesium sulfate is primarily used for conditions such as preeclampsia or to manage seizures, and its administration requires close observation of parameters that directly relate to the drug’s effects.

Vital signs must be regularly monitored because magnesium can cause changes in cardiac function and blood pressure. This is crucial to ensure that there are no adverse effects, such as respiratory depression or hypotension, which can occur with magnesium toxicity.

Urine output is an important consideration as well, as magnesium excretion primarily occurs through the kidneys. Monitoring this output helps ensure that the kidney is functioning properly and can help identify any potential side effects associated with high levels of magnesium in the body.

Deep tendon reflexes need to be monitored because magnesium sulfate acts as a central nervous system depressant. Loss of deep tendon reflexes can be an indicator of toxicity and necessitates immediate intervention.

In contrast, while blood glucose monitoring is vital in certain circumstances, particularly in patients with diabetes or metabolic issues, it is not a direct concern when administering magnesium sulfate, making it the least relevant intervention in this context.