D.O.D #10 - Ectopic Pregnancy Flashcards
appendectomy
surgery where appendix is removed
what does symptoms of vaginal bleeding, lightheadedness, emesis, and syncope mean for this patient?
lack of blood flow, which means fallopian tube has ruptured
syncope
loss of consciousness
IUD
intrauterine device (birth control)
PID
pelvic inflammatory disease
gonorrhea
sexually transmitted bacterial infection (can cause infertility)
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease can cause:
swollen fallopian tube, scar tissue, fatigue, infection, and pelvic pain
pallor
loss of color to skin or mucus membranes; pale skin
cervical motion
unpleasant feeling
adnexal mass
a lump in tissue near the uterus (fallopian tube)
EP
ectopic pregnancy
if pregnancy is not in the uterus, what is it?
ectopic
Beta-HCG
human chorionic gonadotropin: measures hormone level for pregnancy
why does ectopic pregnancy occur? (fallopian)
the egg gets stuck inside the tube on the way to the uterus and begins to develop inside the tube (tubal pregnancy)
implantation can also occur:
in the cervix, ovaries, and abdominal cavity
what happens if you do not treat ectopic pregnancy?
the growing tissue may rupture, resulting in destruction in surrounding maternal structure and massive blood loss (life threatening)
signs and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy:
positive pregnancy test for hCG, abdominal pain, vaginal pain, shoulder pain
what happens if the tube ruptures
it’s a medical emergency; there is heavy bleeding, fainting, shock
causes of ectopic pregnancy:
problems transporting the fertilized egg through tube, cilium degeneration, inflammation and swelling of fallopian tube (egg gets stuck)
what risk factors are there for ectopic pregnancy that make it more likely to happen:
inflammation of fallopian tube/infection, use of IUD, surgeries, previous ectopic pregnancy, abnormal tube shape due to birth defects, smoking, exposure to some fertility drugs, being a daughter of a woman who took DES (a diet pill) during pregnancy
why is previous ectopic pregnancy a risk factor?
they have to cut out previous fetus from fallopian tube, causes scarring and inflammation
how do you diagnose ectopic pregnancy
blood test for hCG and a transvaginal ultrasound
treatment (if detected early)
methotrexate injection (chemo therapy) to desolve pregnancy tissue, laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery
treatment (if tube has ruptured)
emergency open surgery; ruptured tube is removed
