LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Review principles of administering medications.

• Identify importance and understanding of Magnesium sulfate
(MgSO4).

MAGNESIUM SULFATE • Demonstrate and practice skill of dose computation for magnesium
sulfate.
ADMINISTRATION • Implement safe and quality nursing care when administering
MELANIE S. CAMBEL, MAN RN magnesium sulfate.
• Practice skills in promoting physiologic responses when administering
magnesium sulfate.

PRINCIPLES OF MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION PRINCIPLES OF MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION

• Right medication • Right time

• Medication given was the medication ordered • Give medication at right frequency and at the time ordered according to agency policy
• Medications should be given within the agency guidelines
• Right dose
• Right route
• Dose ordered is appropriate for client
• Give medication by he ordered route
• Give special attention if the calculation indicates multiple pills/ tablets or large
• Make certain that the route is safe and appropriate for the client
quantity of liquid medication
• Right client
• Double check calculations that appear questionable.
• Medication is given to the intended client
• Formula for drug computation:
• Check client’s identification band with each administration of a medication
amount to administer = Desired dose (D) x Quantity (Q) • Know the agency’s name alert procedure when clients with the same or similar last
Stock on hand (S) names are on the nursing unit.
PRINCIPLES OF MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION PRINCIPLES OF MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION

• Right client education • Right to refuse

• Explain information about the medication to the client (purpose, possible
effects, any precautions)
• Right documentation
• Document medication administration after giving it, not before
• If time of administration differs from prescribed time, note the time on
the MAR and explain the reason and follow-through activities in nursing
notes
• If medication is not given, follow the agency’s policy for documenting the
reason why
• Adult clients have the right to refuse any medication
• The nurse’s role is to ensure that the client is fully informed of the potential
consequences of refusal and to communicate the client’s refusal to the health
care provider
• Right assessment
• Some medications require specific assessments prior to administration
• Medication orders may include specific parameters for administration
• Right evaluation
• Conduct appropriate follow-up.

MAGNESIUM SULFATE MAGNESIUM SULFATE

Indications:
• Can be given:
• Convulsions
• Intramuscularly – 1 to 5 grams (2 to 10ml of 50%
• Immediate control of life-threatening convulsions in the treatment of solution) daily in divided doses
severe toxemias (pre-eclampsia and eclampsia) of pregnancy • Intravenously – 1 to 4 grams may be give in 10% to
20% solution, but only with great caution; the rate
• Treatment of acute nephritis in children should not exceed 1.5mL of 10% solution or
equivalent per minute until relaxation is obtained
• Hypomagnesemia (prophylaxis and treatment) • Intravenous infusion
• Replacement therapy in magnesium deficiency • Given at 4 grams in 250mL of 5% Dextrose
injection at a rate not exceeding 3 mL per
• Used to prevent or treat magnesium deficiency in patients receiving minute
TPN
• Usual dose ranges from 1 to 40 grams per day
• Tetany, uterine (treatment) depending on the client condition and age

• Indicated as a myometrial relaxant

MAGNESIUM SULFATE ADMINISTRATION OF MGSO4:
Side Effects:
✔ Check RR, should be at least 12 breaths/min
• Flushing
✔ UO, should be at least 100 ml/hr or >30cc/hr
• Sweating ✔ DTR should be present (Knee jerk or patellar
reflex)
• Sharply lowered BP ✔ Prepare the antidote, Calcium Gluconate if MgSo4
toxicity develops & notify physician at once
• Hypothermia ↓ UO, ↓ RR, ↓ DTR, ↓ LOC
✔ MgSo4 is given up to 24H after delivery or from
• Stupor the last convulsion
✔ If given during postpartum, monitor for uterine
• Respiratory depression atony as it can cause uterine relaxation

MAGNESIUM SULFATE ADMINISTERING MAGNESIUM SULFATE:

Procedure:
• Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO4) given initially is termed as loading dose and the succeeding • Verify the Doctor’s order.
doses are termed as maintenance doses. For reference, the following are available stock
per concentration of MgSO4:
• Compute for the correct dose to be given to the client and
double check it.
• Prepare the medication.
MgSO4 Strength Available Stock
10% 1 gram / 10 mL • Introduce self and verify the client’s identity.
20% 1 gram/ 5 mL • Inform the client about the medication, its action, possible
50% 1 gram/ 2 mL side effects or adverse effects, and how the medication will
10 grams/ 20 mL
be administered
 ADMINISTERING MAGNESIUM SULFATE:
Procedure:
• Perform hand hygiene and observe other appropriate infection prevention procedures.
• Provide privacy.
• Assist the client to a position of comfort.
THANK YOU!
• Administer the drug (Follow the 10 rights of medication administration).
• Intramuscular- Dorsogluteal muscle; maintenance dose given into alternate buttocks every 4 hours
• Intravenous – give dose over a period of 3-5 minutes
• Intravenous infusion – infused at 1-2 gram/ hour 10.
• Provide adjunctive interventions as indicated.
• Document the procedure and relevant data (date, time, route, site, medication, and response of client)