According to the Pritchard regimen used widely in India for treating eclampsia, what is the correct intramuscular loading dose of magnesium sulfate?
- A 4 g intravenously over 5 minutes followed by 10 g intramuscularly, 5 g in each buttock ✓
- B 6 g intravenously over 20 minutes followed by 2 g per hour infusion
- C 10 g intramuscularly in a single buttock only
- D 4 g intravenously over 30 minutes followed by 1 g per hour infusion
Correct answer: A. 4 g intravenously over 5 minutes followed by 10 g intramuscularly, 5 g in each buttock
Explanation
The Pritchard regimen gives a total loading dose of 14 g: 4 g of 20 percent magnesium sulfate intravenously over 5 minutes, followed by 10 g of 50 percent solution intramuscularly, 5 g deep in each upper outer quadrant of the buttock, with lignocaine to reduce pain. Maintenance is 5 g intramuscularly every 4 hours in alternate buttocks. Option B describes the Zuspan intravenous regimen, which is also acceptable but is not the Pritchard schedule asked here.
Reference: Ian Donald's Practical Obstetric Problems, 8th ed.
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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.