Additional PP Complications Flashcards
what does HELLP stand for?
Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelets
how is HELLP characterized?
Hemolysis/elevated liver enzymes: inflammation of the liver, characterized by pain under the right ribcage, which is caused by inflamed liver capsule
Low platelets: signals an impending disorder of clotting status that if left unchecked can progress to disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (must be less than 100 x10^9)
how does hemolysis work in HELLP?
RBC’s are damaged as they pass through narrowed blood vessels and become hemolyzed,, resulting in a decreased RBC and platelet count and hyperbilirubinemia
complications of HELLP?
Renal failure
Pulmonary edema
Ruptured liver hematoma
DIC
Placental abruption
interventions for HELLP?
Protein or salt restriction
Zinc
Magnesium
Fish oil
Vitamins C and E
Use of diuretics or other anti-hypertensive medications
Use of heparin or low-dose aspirin
nursing care for HELLP?
assess BP, deep tendon reflexes, fetal surveillance, recommend activity restriction
what does magnesium sulphate prevent and treat?
convulsions (seizures) caused by pre-eclampsia or eclampsia
how is magnesium sulphate administered?
via infusion
what is bilirubin a by product of?
RBC hemolysis
where do fetal RBC go at the time of birth?
mothers circlulation
what is ABO coagulation?
antibodies in the plasma of one blood group produce agglutination (clumping) when mixed with antigens of a different blood group. In the ABO blood group system, the antibodies occur naturally
does AB blood group contain antibodies?
no
what is the most common blood group incompatibility in the newborn and mother?
mother is O blood group and an infant with A or B blood group
how are Rh and ABO incompatibility different?
ABO incompatibility may occur in the first pregnancy
when can Complications arise with Rh incompatibility (isoimmunization)?
mother is Rh negative and the newborn is Rh positive.
When fetal RBCs enter maternal circulation during childbirth, the natural defense mechanism of the childbearing parent responds to these alien cells by:
producing anti-Rh antibodies
isoimmunization has no effect during the first pregnancy with an Rh-positive fetus because:
the initial sensitization to Rh antigens rarely occurs before the onset of labor
how does the fetus attempt to compensate for progressive hemolysis and anemia?
accelerating the rate of erythropoiesis (red blood cell production). As a result, immature RBCs (erythroblasts) appear in the fetal circulation. This is called erythroblastosis fetalis