Magnesium sulfate

Medication class detail with safety cues and nursing action focus.

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Magnesium sulfate

Examples: magnesium sulfate

Mechanism

Depresses neuromuscular excitability and stabilizes seizure risk in severe preeclampsia/eclampsia.

Used for

  • Seizure prophylaxis in preeclampsia
  • Eclampsia management
  • Selected dysrhythmia protocols

Side effects

  • Loss of deep tendon reflexes
  • Respiratory depression
  • Hypotension
  • Flushing

Nursing actions

  • Monitor respirations, deep tendon reflexes, urine output, and level of consciousness.
  • Keep calcium gluconate available per protocol.
  • Use seizure precautions and reduce stimulation.

Hold / question cues

  • Respiratory depression
  • Absent reflexes
  • Very low urine output

Antidote / reversal

  • calcium gluconate

NCLEX pearl

  • Magnesium prevents seizures; calcium reverses toxicity.