Question

A case of eclampsia is brought to a primary health centre late in the night. The decision is to

• A. Tell the relatives to take her to the referral hospital immediately
• B. Give 10 mg Calmpose (diazepam) IV and ask the relatives to take her to a higher centre
• C. Give 10 mg Calmpose IV, induce labor and wait for transport
• D. Give anticonvulsants, inform the higher centre and wait for transport

Hint:

Control the fit first, then move her, not just refer or just wait.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

This question tests what a primary health centre should do first when eclampsia walks through the door at night, when a full obstetric team is not available.

1. Refer immediately without treatment: Sending the patient off with no drug on board risks another convulsion on the road, which can be fatal for mother and baby.
2. Give IV diazepam and refer: This stops the current fit fast and covers the transfer window, then hands the case to a centre equipped to manage eclampsia fully.
3. Give diazepam, induce labor, and wait: Starting labor at a facility without operative backup is unsafe if complications appear during delivery.
4. Give anticonvulsants and wait for transport at the PHC: This delays reaching proper care and keeps the patient where monitoring is limited.

The safest and most practical step is to sedate with IV diazepam right away and arrange transfer without delay, since it protects the patient during the journey while getting her to a facility that can manage the rest of the labor and delivery.

Let's summarize:

• A PHC's job in eclampsia is to control the fit, not to complete the delivery.
• IV diazepam buys safe time for transfer to a higher centre.

So the correct decision is to give 10 mg Calmpose IV and send the patient to a higher centre.