Initial management of eclampsia includes

Initial management of eclampsia includes

• A. Administer antibiotics only
• B. ABCD's 1st. Magnesium sulfate for seizures, Lorazepam second line if refractory; Delivery of fetus once patient stabilized; BP meds: hydralazine/labetalol
• C. No treatment required
• D. Immediate cesarean section in all cases

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that the first priority in eclampsia is to protect the mother and stop the seizures while stabilizing vital functions, then proceed to delivery. Magnesium sulfate is the drug of choice to prevent and treat seizures in this setting; give it promptly and monitor closely (watch reflexes, breathing, and urine output) to avoid magnesium toxicity. If seizures persist despite adequate magnesium, a benzodiazepine such as lorazepam can be used as a second-line aid while continuing magnesium. Blood pressure should be controlled with intravenous antihypertensives, with hydralazine or labetalol commonly used in pregnancy. Once the mother is stabilized, delivery of the fetus is the definitive step, with timing and mode guided by obstetric status; immediate cesarean in every case is not indicated, and antibiotics are not the focal initial therapy.

The main idea is that the first priority in eclampsia is to protect the mother and stop the seizures while stabilizing vital functions, then proceed to delivery. Magnesium sulfate is the drug of choice to prevent and treat seizures in this setting; give it promptly and monitor closely (watch reflexes, breathing, and urine output) to avoid magnesium toxicity. If seizures persist despite adequate magnesium, a benzodiazepine such as lorazepam can be used as a second-line aid while continuing magnesium. Blood pressure should be controlled with intravenous antihypertensives, with hydralazine or labetalol commonly used in pregnancy. Once the mother is stabilized, delivery of the fetus is the definitive step, with timing and mode guided by obstetric status; immediate cesarean in every case is not indicated, and antibiotics are not the focal initial therapy.