What is an appropriate nursing intervention for a client receiving magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia?

When a client is receiving magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia, assessing knee-jerk reflexes is an important nursing intervention. Magnesium sulfate is used to prevent seizures in patients with preeclampsia and can lead to magnesium toxicity, which affects the neurological system. Monitoring knee-jerk reflexes helps determine the client's neurological status and ensure that magnesium levels remain within a safe range. A diminished or absent reflex may indicate the onset of toxicity, prompting the nurse to take appropriate action, such as adjusting the medication or administering calcium gluconate as an antidote.

Other interventions, while relevant in a broader scope, do not focus specifically on the immediate concerns associated with magnesium sulfate therapy. Monitoring heart rate and rhythm is essential for overall cardiovascular assessment, but it may not provide as direct insight into magnesium toxicity. Encouraging increased fluid intake can be beneficial for hydration, but it does not directly monitor the effects of magnesium on the nervous system. Limiting monitoring to vital signs only is insufficient in this context, as it neglects critical components that could indicate adverse effects of the medication. Thus, assessing knee-jerk reflexes remains the most appropriate nursing intervention for this scenario.