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Eclampsia — DIPIMC MCQ

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HardPaediatric and Obstetric EmergenciesEclampsiaDIPIMCDipIMC

A woman at 36 weeks has a generalised seizure, blood pressure 178/112 mmHg, headache and clonus. The convulsion has stopped after initial ABC care. Which anticonvulsant regimen should now be started within governed scope?

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Correct answer: C — Give IV magnesium sulfate 4 g over 5–15 minutes

The best answer is “Give IV magnesium sulfate 4 g over 5–15 minutes”. This presentation is eclampsia until proved otherwise. NICE specifies IV magnesium sulfate 4 g over five to fifteen minutes, followed by the governed maintenance regimen and urgent obstetric management. Diazepam and phenytoin should not replace magnesium sulfate for eclampsia. Antihypertensive treatment is also required for severe hypertension, but it does not provide the disease-specific anticonvulsant effect.

Reference: NICE NG133, Hypertension in pregnancy: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng133/chapter/recommendations