This is a real-world medical entrance exam question, please give the true answer based on the question and selection. Topic name: Wounds, Tissue Repair & Scars, Subject name: Surgery
A pregnant woman in her 32nd week of gestation is given magnesium sulfate for pre-eclampsia. The earliest clinical indication of hypermagnesemia is 
Select and explain. 
A. Loss of deep tendon reflexes, B. Flaccid paralysis, C. Respiratory arrest, D. Hypotension
A: Loss of deep tendon reflexes
Answer: A: Loss of deep tendon reflexes 
Explanation: States of magnesium excess are characterized by generalized neuromuscular depression. Clinically, severe hypermagnesemia is rarely seen except in those patients with advanced renal failure treated with magnesium-containing antacids. Hypermagnesemia is produced intentionally, however, by obstetricians who use parenteral magnesium sulfate (MgSO4 ) to treat preeclampsia. MgSO4 is administered until depression of the deep tendon reflexes is observed, a deficit that occurs with modest hypermagnesemia (over 4 mEq/L). Greater elevations of magnesium produce progressive weakness, which culminates in flaccid quadriplegia and in some cases respiratory arrest from paralysis of the chest bellows mechanism. Hypotension may occur because of the direct arteriolar relaxing effect of magnesium. Changes in mental status occur in the late stages of the syndrome and are characterized by somnolence that progresses to coma.