What is a primary nursing intervention during magnesium sulfate administration for preterm labor?

The primary nursing intervention during magnesium sulfate administration for preterm labor is to monitor contractions and fetal heart rate. This is crucial because magnesium sulfate is commonly used to prevent preterm labor and can affect both uterine activity and fetal well-being.

Monitoring contractions helps assess the effectiveness of the medication in suppressing premature contractions, while keeping track of the fetal heart rate is essential for identifying any potential distress in the fetus that could arise due to the effects of magnesium sulfate. This dual focus is vital to ensure that both the mother's and the fetus's conditions are stable throughout the administration of the drug.

While monitoring vital signs and urine output, administering calcium gluconate for potential toxicity, and evaluating the Bishop score are all important nursing considerations, they are secondary to the immediate need to assess the efficacy of the treatment in controlling contractions and maintaining fetal safety. Understanding this hierarchy of interventions is critical for effective management in the context of preterm labor.