High School

Ms. Lee is a 33-year-old G1P1 who had labor induction for preeclampsia with severe features, resulting in a vaginal delivery 3 hours ago. She remains on magnesium sulfate IV. Her blood pressures have remained in the 150s/90s mm Hg on oral labetalol, and her lab exams were all within normal limits except creatinine, which is 1.5 mg/dL. She reports that she is short of breath and feels chest heaviness. She then becomes unresponsive. What are the correct actions at this time?

A) Administer another dose of magnesium sulfate.
B) Call a code blue and initiate resuscitation measures.
C) Start an antihypertensive medication.
D) Place Ms. Lee in a lateral position.

Answer :

Final answer:

The correct action is to call a code blue and initiate resuscitation measures due to Ms. Lee's unresponsiveness and potential serious postpartum complications.

Explanation:

Upon Ms. Lee becoming unresponsive after recently giving birth and exhibiting signs of chest heaviness and shortness of breath, the most appropriate action is B) Call a code blue and initiate resuscitation measures. Ms. Lee’s symptoms suggest she may be experiencing a serious complication such as postpartum hemorrhage, eclamptic seizure, or even a cardiac event, all of which necessitate immediate medical attention. Since she has had recent high blood pressures and is on magnesium sulfate, preeclampsia complications must be considered. Administering another dose of magnesium sulfate (A) without assessing the cause of unresponsiveness could be dangerous if her symptoms are due to magnesium overdose. Starting an antihypertensive medication (C) does not address the acute change in her clinical status. While placing Ms. Lee in a lateral position (D) can assist in airway management, it is not the primary action needed when she is unresponsive and potentially experiencing a life-threatening event.