Chapter 8 nursing care of woman w/ pregnancy complications Flashcards
hyperemesis gravidarum
is a more severe form of morning sickness persisting past 20 weeks’ gestation
hyperemesis gravidarum may cause…
dehydration, electrolyte, and acid base imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, and even death
women suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum in the second trimester have increased risk for…
preterm labor
preeclapsia
protein in the urine
edema
placental abruption
during hyperemesis gravidarum, fetus may have…
poor placental perfusion and oxygenation that may lead to a small for gestation age (SGA) infant
incidence and risk factors of hyperemesis gravidarum
- 0.3%-2% of all pregnancies
- elevated hcg and free T4 levels
- degree of thyroid stimulation
- elevated estradiol levels
- previous intolerance to oral contraceptives
- relaxation of smooth muscle causing delayed gastric emptying
signs and symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum
- vomiting multiple times throughout the day
- poor appetite
- weight loss (>5% of pre pregnancy weight)
- dehydration: signs and symptoms - dry mouth, poor skin turgor, concentrated urine, decreased urine output, elevated heart rate, alkalosis from loss of hydrochloric acid
medical care for hyperemesis gravidarum
medical care: acupuncture and acupressure for women who want to avoid the use of medications in the first trimester of pregnancy
- initial management: vitamin b6 10-25mg TID, doxylamine 12.5mg TID or QID, Ginger capsules 250mg QID
medications used for severe cases
- metoclopramide 5-0mg q8h
- promethazine 12.5 mg oral or rectal q4h
- dimenhydrinate 50-100mg q4-6h
- ondansetron 4-8 mg oral or IV q8h
- severe cases may also warrant investigation for other possible causes such as gastroenteritis, pancreatitis, hepatitis, ulcers, and kidney disorders
lab studies may be ordered to monitor pts health status with hyperemesis gravidarum
CBC
electrolytes
Ketones
liver enzymes
nursing care for hyperemesis gravidarum
- administer IV fluids and antiemetics
- monitor lab results and report abnormalities
- monitor for weight loss
- meet psychosocial needs
- refer to appropriate resources
- allow time to listen to pts concerns
patient teaching with hypermesis gravidarum
eat small, frequent meals and avoid spicy, fatty foods
- avoid odors or foods that may trigger nausea
- maintain fluid intake to avoid dehydration
- monitor for signs of dehydration
notify provider of warning signs with hyperemesis gravidarum
dark urine
bloody vomit
abdominal pain
dehydration
lack of urine output for 8 hours
dehydration
lack of urine output for 8 hours
inability to keep food down for 24 hours
ketones in the urine
care of the woman with bleeding disorders of early pregnancy
- bleeding during pregnancy is always abnormal, especially in the first trimester because it threatens the viability of pregnancy
bleeding disorders of early pregnancy
spontaneous abortion
ectopic pregnancy
gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD)
abortion
a pregnancy loss or termination
viable
refers to the fetus that is able to live outside the uterus with age greater than 20 weeks of gestation, or weight greater than 500 g
incidence and risk factors
- spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) is the most common type, occurring in up to 2% of all clinically recognized pregnancies
possible causes of abortion include
- fetal chromosomal abnormalities
- uncontrolled diabetes
- hypothyroidism
- maternal infection
- reproductive abnormalities, or maternal injury
classification of spontaneous abortion according to symptoms and the outcome
- threatened abortions
- inevitable abortions
- incomplete abortions
- complete abortions
- missed abortions
signs and symptoms of spontaneous abortion
- lower abdominal cramping
- vaginal bleeding
- these symptoms can also occur with other early pregnancy complications; thorough examination and testing must be done prior to treatment
medical care for spontaneous abortion
- if it’s complete, usually does not require additional treatment
- if bleeding does not stop, may need dilation and curettage, vacuum extraction, vacuum d&c
dilation and curettage (D&C)
surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated and the physician gently scrapes the lining of the uterus to remove the products of conception
- risks include bleeding, infection, and possible uterine perforation
an alternative to D&C is medication therapy which can be considered in women without…
infection, hemorrhage, severe anemia, or bleeding disorders
=- mifepristone
- misoprostol
- pain medication
- passage of tissues should occur within a few days after medication therapy. If unsuccessful, surgical approach may follow
- risks include bleeding, infection, possible incomplete abortion, and possible failure of medication therapy
nursing care for abortion
- monitor vital signs, I&Os, 02, and lab test results
- monitor for hypovolemic shock
- anticipate IV fluids and oxygen therapy
- administer medications as ordered to control bleeding (oxytocin or methylergonovine)
- possible alerting the lab to blood type and crossmatch the pt for possible blood transfusion
- administer RhD immune globulin (RhoGAM) to rh-negative woman within 72 hours to prevent isoimmunization
patient teaching for a planned, spontaneous, or elective abortion
- warning signs of complications after a d&c or administrati of misoprostol
- heavy bright red bleeding
- foul smelling vaginal discharge
- fever
- pelvic pain
- do n ot resume sexual activity or use of tampons or douches until advised by the hcp
- if significant blood loss, take iron supplements w/ orange juice between meals for maximum absorption
- add liver, green leafy vegetables, and eggs to diet to increase dietary iron
- discuss when to attempt another pregnancy with her provider
elective abortin
- performed when a woman chooses to terminate a pregnancy
- medical approach in early pregnancy
- surgical approach if medical approach is not successful or if pregnancy is more advanced
- medical care, nursing care, and pt teaching will be similar to other types of abortion
ectopic pregnancy
occurs when the fertilized ovum implants outside the uterus, usually in thefallopian tubes, but can occur anywhere outside the uterus; can be life threatening to the woman and may require surgical treatment
incidence and risk factors of ectopic pregnancy
- occurs in 1/50 pregnancies
- may be caused by scarring of the fallopian tubes or blocks in the tubes
- advanced maternal age
- reproductive anomalies
- history of fllopian tube surgery
- history of PID
- repeated induced abortions
- repeated STIs
- use of IUDs
- history of assisted reproductive technology
- regular douching
- smoking
signs and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy
- vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain
- if the fallopian tube ruptures, the following may occur:
- severe abdominal pain
- shoulder or neck pain
- weakness
- dizziness
- decreased BP
- increased heart rate
medical care for ectopic pregnancy
- methotrexate may be administered if the fallopian tube has not ruptured
- if fallopian tube has ruptured, laparoscopic surgery is performed to save the tube
- if fallopian tube cannot be saved or pt no longer desires future pregnancy, tube may be removed
salpingstomy
small linear incision made into the fallopian tube to remove the products of conception; tube heals w/out suture
salpingctomy
surgical removal of the fallopian tube
gestational trophoblastic disease
includes several disease processes involving rare tumors that begin in the uterus during placental development
hydatidiform mole (molar pregnancy)
rare type of tumor that occurs during very early placental attachment and embryonic development wherein trophoblast cells develop abnormally and cause a placenta to grow and develop, but not the fetus; most common and occurs at the extremes of reproductive years (early teen sor perimenopause)