Hypertensive disorders: monitoring on magnesium: 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.

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OBG · Hypertensive disorders: monitoring on magnesium

Sample item

Before administering a repeat maintenance dose of magnesium sulphate, which of the following must be confirmed?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Respiratory rate of at least 16/min, urine output of at least 30 mL/h and present patellar reflex

Magnesium is excreted by the kidney, so oliguria predisposes to toxicity. Before each dose the patellar reflex must be present, respiratory rate at least 16/min and urine output at least 30 mL/h (100 mL in 4 hours). If not, the dose is withheld.

Option by option

  • A. Heart rate below 60/min

    Bradycardia is not the criterion.

  • B. Temperature above 38 degrees C

    Temperature is not the criterion.

  • C. Blood glucose above 200 mg/dL

    Glucose is not the criterion.

  • D. Respiratory rate of at least 16/min, urine output of at least 30 mL/h and present patellar reflex (correct)

    Correct. These three checks prevent toxicity.

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.

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Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is D, Respiratory rate of at least 16/min, urine output of at least 30 mL/h and present patellar reflex. Magnesium is excreted by the kidney, so oliguria predisposes to toxicity.

Why is "Heart rate below 60/min" not the answer?

Bradycardia is not the criterion.

Why is "Temperature above 38 degrees C" not the answer?

Temperature is not the criterion.

Why is "Blood glucose above 200 mg/dL" not the answer?

Glucose is not the criterion.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hypertensive disorders: monitoring on magnesium in OBG. Before each dose the patellar reflex must be present, respiratory rate at least 16/min and urine output at least 30 mL/h (100 mL in 4 hours). If not, the dose is withheld.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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: monitoring on magnesium?

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.