What is a potential effect of magnesium sulfate that a nurse should monitor for in a client receiving this medication?

Magnesium sulfate is often used in maternity care, particularly for its tocolytic properties and as a neuroprotective agent in preterm labor. When administering magnesium sulfate, monitoring for respiratory depression is crucial as it can occur due to the drug's central nervous system depressant effects. Magnesium acts as a muscle relaxant and can lead to diminished respiratory drive, especially at higher serum levels or in cases of toxicity.

Such respiratory depression poses a risk because it can result in decreased oxygenation for both the mother and the fetus, necessitating prompt intervention. Therefore, nurses must assess the client's respiratory rate and effort regularly, ensuring that any signs of respiratory distress are addressed swiftly.

Understanding the pharmacodynamics of magnesium sulfate helps in recognizing why monitoring for respiratory depression is vital and highlights the importance of closely observing clients receiving this treatment to ensure their safety and the safety of the fetus. Other options, while they may involve significant concerns in other contexts, do not represent the primary risks associated with magnesium sulfate therapy.