Magnesium sulphate is known as?

Appeared in: PGIMS Rohtak NO - 2017

Explanation

Magnesium sulphate is an inorganic salt containing magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen.
Its hydrated form, MgSO₄·7H₂O, is commonly called Epsom salt.
This name originates from the town of Epsom in Surrey, England, where the salt was discovered in a bitter saline spring.
It has numerous applications, including as a bath salt for soothing muscle aches and as a medication.

Option B: Plaster of Paris is chemically calcium sulphate hemihydrate (CaSO₄·½H₂O), not magnesium sulphate. It is used in construction and for making orthopedic casts.
Option C: Black powder is an explosive mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulphur. It has no chemical relation to magnesium sulphate.
Option D: Iodized salt is table salt (sodium chloride, NaCl) to which a small amount of an iodine-containing salt has been added. It is used to prevent iodine deficiency.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain The concept tested is the common name for the chemical compound magnesium sulphate as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Magnesium sulphate is a high-alert medication. Nurses must be vigilant in monitoring for signs of toxicity, which include respiratory depression, loss of deep tendon reflexes, and hypotension.
The antidote for magnesium sulphate toxicity is calcium gluconate, which must be readily available whenever magnesium sulphate is administered intravenously.
What if? If a patient receiving a magnesium sulphate infusion for pre-eclampsia develops a respiratory rate of 10 breaths/minute and becomes unresponsive, the nurse's first action is to stop the infusion immediately and prepare to administer calcium gluconate.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of common chemical names.
First, identify the key chemical name in the question stem: 'Magnesium sulphate'.
Next, scan the options to find its common or trade name.
Recall or deduce the association. Magnesium sulphate is widely known as Epsom salt.
Eliminate the other options by recalling their compositions: Plaster of Paris is calcium-based, Black powder is a mixture, and Iodized salt is sodium chloride with iodine.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: The concept tested is the common name for the chemical compound magnesium sulphate.
Stem keywords: Magnesium sulphate
Lead-in keywords: known as
Negative lead-in flag: false

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