Page 195 - Critical Maternity & Newborn Health Nursing

• If the pt. will continue the antihypertensive therapy ensure her that

it will be execrated in breast milk but its action is unknown.

• Intervention of anticonvulsant therapy (magnesium sulfate). It is the

ideal drug in the prevention & treatment of convulsions related to

pre-eclampsia

o Action:-

 Decrease neuromuscular irritability & blocking the release of

acetylcholine

 Depress the vasomotor center by acting on the peripheral

vascular system. (this causes slight vasodilatation → increase

blood flow to the uterus and can cause a transient episode of

hypertension for 30 or 45 minutes after administration)

 Depressing the CNS → decrease CNS irritability

 Peripheral vasodilatation

 Increase uterine and renal flow

 Increase prostacyclin production

 Decrease platelet aggregation

 Decrease the action of rennin and angiotensin

o Dosage:-

 Initial dose:- 4g to 6g I.V (15 to 20 minutes)

 Maintenance dose:-2 g / hr diluted in 5 % dextrose &
lactated ringers it can be administered either by IM or IV

o Side effect:-
 It moves the calcium outside the smooth muscle → decrease

smooth muscle contractility → decrease uterine activity →
prolong labor (however it is ineffective in suppressing uterine

activity once labor become active).

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