What is a potential complication addressed by administering magnesium sulfate to pregnant women with hypertension?

Magnesium sulfate is administered to pregnant women with hypertension primarily to prevent and manage pre-eclampsia and its associated complications. Pre-eclampsia is a serious condition that can occur during pregnancy, characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to other organ systems, often the liver and kidneys. The use of magnesium sulfate acts as a neuroprotective agent to reduce the risk of seizures associated with severe pre-eclampsia, known as eclampsia. By providing this treatment, healthcare providers aim to stabilize the mother and protect both maternal and fetal health.

The other options—diabetes, placenta previa, and ectopic pregnancy—do not directly relate to the use of magnesium sulfate in managing hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. Diabetes management involves different interventions, while placenta previa and ectopic pregnancy require specific monitoring and treatment strategies unrelated to magnesium sulfate administration. Therefore, the focus on magnesium sulfate in the context of hypertension specifically addresses the risks and complications of pre-eclampsia.