Question

A 28-year-old pregnant woman at 34 weeks gestation is diagnosed with severe preeclampsia. The decision is made to start magnesium sulfate using the Pritchard regimen for seizure prophylaxis. What is the correct loading dose of magnesium sulfate in this regimen?

• A. 4 gm IV
• B. 6 gm IV + 5 gm IM each buttock
• C. 14 gm total
• D. 20 gm total

Hint:

Pritchard regimen loading dose = 4 gm IV + 5 gm IM in each buttock = 14 gm total.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: Magnesium sulfate is used for seizure prophylaxis and treatment in severe preeclampsia and eclampsia. In the Pritchard regimen, the loading dose is a combination of IV and IM magnesium sulfate.

Step 1: Recall the Pritchard loading dose.
The loading dose is: \[ 4 \text{ gm IV slowly} + 10 \text{ gm IM} \] The 10 gm IM dose is given as: \[ 5 \text{ gm in each buttock} \]

Step 2: Calculate the total dose.
\[ 4 \text{ gm IV} + 5 \text{ gm IM} + 5 \text{ gm IM} = 14 \text{ gm} \]

Step 3: Select the correct option.
Thus, the total loading dose in the Pritchard regimen is: \[ 14 \text{ gm total} \] Therefore, the correct answer is 14 gm total.