Which mineral is used for treating eclampsia and other conditions?

• A. Calcium chloride
• B. Sodium bicarbonate
• C. Magnesium sulfate
• D. Hepatitis B vaccine

Answer: (C)

Magnesium sulfate is the mineral used for treating eclampsia and several other conditions. Its anticonvulsant effect helps prevent seizures in eclampsia and preeclampsia by reducing neuronal excitability and limiting cerebral irritability. It also stabilizes cardiac membranes and can help in certain arrhythmias like torsades de pointes by modulating calcium influx into cardiac cells. Additionally, magnesium is a necessary mineral for normal nerve and muscle function, so replenishing it resolves symptoms that arise from deficiency. The other options do not provide these anticonvulsant or membrane-stabilizing benefits: calcium chloride treats low calcium or specific overdoses, sodium bicarbonate treats metabolic acidosis, and the hepatitis B vaccine is unrelated to these acute conditions.