Hemorrhage Disorders Flashcards
What is a miscarriage?
Considered a spontaneous abortion from natural causes
What is a major symptom of miscarriage?
Early bleeding in first trimester BUT this doesn’t mean an automatic miscarriage yet. Need to go to doctor to check
Legal documentation for miscarriage/spontaneous abortion?
Less than 20 weeks.
If you’re not sure how old the fetus is, then if it is less than 500 grams
Induced miscarriage
Intentional termination of pregnancy
When do majority of miscarriages happen?
Before 12 weeks gestation. Some moms may not even realize they were pregnant to begin with.
Etiology of Miscarriages
Chromosomal abnormalities Teratogenic drugs Faulty implantation Weak cervix Placental abnormalities Chronic maternal disease like diabetes Smoking Alcohol abuse Advanced maternal age
Explain why chromosomal abnormalities may cause miscarriage
A fetus’s chromosomes may not be compatible for life
Explain why teratogenic drugs can cause miscarriage
Teratogenic means the drug is able to cross the placenta. And if it can cross, it affects the fetus wellbeing and can cause miscarriage.
Explain why faulty implantation can cause miscarraige
A faulty implantation means the egg and sperm implanted in the uterus where they couldn’t survive well enough to develop.
Explain how a weakened cervix can cause miscarriage
Weakened or incompetent cervix means the cervix opens too early on in PG despite the baby not being ready for life. If the cervix opens, the uterus contents could be expelled too early and cause miscarriage.
Explain how placental abnormalities could cause a miscarriage
Anything regulated to the placenta being abnormal can harm the fetus’s development. The placenta is the life-line to mom.
Explain or list chronic maternal diseases that can cause miscarriage
Diabetes or Hypertension are some to name a few
Explain how smoking or alcohol abuse can cause miscarriage
Each of these impacts mom and fetus in a negative way.
Smoking leads to decreased oxygenation.
Alcohol abuse can affect the baby’s viability in the womb
Explain how advanced age can cause miscarriage
If over the age of 40, they are twice as likely to have a miscarriage than a 20 yr old
Threatened abortion
Cervix is closed but there is bleeding, cramping, and backache
Imminent or inevitable abortion
Cervix is dilating/opening and it is just a matter time of miscarriage.
Increased bleeding and cramping
Incomplete abortion
Fetus is expelled but the placenta is left behind
Heavier bleeding
Mom may need to go back for surgery to remove the placenta
Complete abortion
Both the fetus and placenta have expelled as it is supposed to leaving the uterus empty and able to close. Bleeding is dim.
Missed abortion
What are common signs of missed abortion?
What risks happen if mom retains it or it is left in her?
When the fetus dies but it remains in the womb.
Mom may notice her PG symptoms going away. Breasts loose engorgement, no n/v.
1) DIC bleeding due to composing tissue releasing toxins that ruin clotting ability
2) Sepsis due to necrosing tissue harvesting bacteria
Recurrent pregnancy loss
Why might this happen?
Losing 2 consecutive miscarriages
Hormones or Structural abnormality (fibroids, faulty cervix) going on here
Septic abortion
What is this associated with?
What is indicated here for diagnosis?
Miscarriage from infection
Can be associated with IUD or SROM not being septic
A aseptic back-alley abortion
Culture and sensitivity
Threatened abortion Assessment:
What will they do first?
What can aid in evaluation?
Additional labs they may do to rule things out?
Diagnostic testing done to see if baby is till alive?
Threatened abortion: possible abortion on the way. Spotting and pain
First, look at her cervix.
HCG qualitative and quantitative
CBC to evaluate sepsis and anemia possibility
Ultrasound bc it can check baby heart
Threatened abortion post assessment if baby is still viable:
Instruct her to do what?
What meds?
What are we hoping for?
If baby is still alive:
Tell her bed rest short term but it is to help her emotions bc there’s probably not a way to prevent it .
Vagina rest as well. NOTHING GOES IN LOL
Benadryl for rest
Tylenol for discomfort
Stop spotting and cramping over next days
Incomplete Abortion
Procedure?
Meds to aid (or replace) procedure?
What if mom is at risk for hemorrhage tho and they do main procedure?
Infection risks?
Incomplete: when the baby dies but the placenta is left behind
D&C procedure to remove the placenta
Meds like prostaglandins (cytotec) can help to empty uterus if mom is at risk for hemorrhage
Give her oxytocin drugs to help uterus clamp or txa
With procedure mom may be at risk for infection . Give antibiotics
Incomplete abortion
What can they give mom to avoid hemorrhage?
What meds given for infection risk?
Oxytocin drugs for prevention
TXA
Oxytocin Methergine Hemabate
antibiotics
Review:
Type of abortion where you’ll have to have a D&C
or be put on prostaglins
Incomplete abortion
If mom has a D&C for a ____ abortion, and she is RH- what might she need ?
For an incomplete abortion you’ll need the D&C.
And if she is rh- she will need an RHimmune globulin no less than 72 hours later.
Your PG mother reports that she thinks she may have passed a clot in the toilet. What should you as a nurse do?
Your PG mother is actively bleeding. What 3 things should you do for mom? What to do for baby?
Start IV fluids, monitor for shock, administer O2
For baby monitor FHR
What do you need to do after a period of active bleeding if mom is RH-?
Get mom an Rh immune globulin if she is RH- before dismissal
How do women cope with miscarriages?
Older women or women who have been trying to get PG may take it hard
Adolescents or women who didn’t even know or want a pG will be ok.
But regardless, help them cope. Bc they need to resolve the grief before becoming PG again .
Foods that mom should eat after going through a miscarriage?
Education?
Iron rich diet and supplement for possible anemia
We want them to wait till they get pregnant 4-6 months if they can
What does cervical insufficiency mean?
(which trimester?)
What does this feel like to mom?
Painless dilation and effacement of the cervix without contractions in 2nd trimester. And so you don’t even know it is going on.
Again painless but women may feel a heaviness in lower abdomen
Cervical insufficiency causes that are genetic?
Grandma having DES (Dyethial Semestral Exposure) which affects their offspring who is now the mom and patient in question
Collagen disorders
Uterine abnormalities
- ex: membranes with heart uterus, bicords