Hypertensive disorders: magnesium monitoring: practice question

A OBG question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

OBG · Hypertensive disorders: magnesium monitoring

Sample item

At approximately which serum magnesium concentration does the patellar reflex disappear?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. 8 to 10 mEq/L

The therapeutic range for seizure prophylaxis is 4 to 7 mEq/L (4.8 to 8.4 mg/dL). Patellar reflexes are lost at about 8 to 10 mEq/L, respiratory paralysis occurs at 12 to 15 mEq/L, and cardiac arrest at higher levels.

Option by option

  • A. 8 to 10 mEq/L (correct)

    Correct. Loss of reflexes occurs around 8 to 10 mEq/L.

  • B. 4 to 7 mEq/L

    4 to 7 mEq/L is therapeutic with reflexes still present.

  • C. 30 mEq/L

    30 mEq/L would be associated with cardiac arrest.

  • D. 1 to 2 mEq/L

    1 to 2 mEq/L is the normal range.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More OBG questions

Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is A, 8 to 10 mEq/L. The therapeutic range for seizure prophylaxis is 4 to 7 mEq/L (4.

Why is "4 to 7 mEq/L" not the answer?

4 to 7 mEq/L is therapeutic with reflexes still present.

Why is "30 mEq/L" not the answer?

30 mEq/L would be associated with cardiac arrest.

Why is "1 to 2 mEq/L" not the answer?

1 to 2 mEq/L is the normal range.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hypertensive disorders: magnesium monitoring in OBG. 8 to 8.4 mg/dL). Patellar reflexes are lost at about 8 to 10 mEq/L, respiratory paralysis occurs at 12 to 15 mEq/L, and cardiac arrest at higher levels.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Hypertensive disorders: magnesium monitoring?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.