INTRODUCTION TO NCM109 Flashcards
What is the focus of the course on Care of Mother and Child?
Concepts, principles, theories, and techniques in nursing care of at risk or high risk/sick clients during childbearing and childrearing years
Emphasis on** health promotion, disease prevention, restoration, maintenance, and rehabilitation**
What constitutes a High Risk Pregnancy?
A pregnancy with significantly increased risk of disability or death for the woman or fetus due to pregnancy-related disorders
Jeopardizes the health of both mother and fetus
What is the importance of detecting High Risk Pregnancy?
Improved maternal-fetal or neonatal outcomes when risk factors are identified and managed appropriately
Use of risk-appropriate care
What is the estimated number of women who die annually from pregnancy-related complications?
585,000 women
99% in developing countries and 1% in developed countries
What are some common risk factors in pregnancy?
- Genetics - family history
- Biophysical risks - from mother or fetus
- Nutritional status
- Obstetrical history -pregnancy history
- Psychosocial risks - maternal behaviors
- Lifestyle factors - smoking, caffeine, ingestion, alcohol intake
- Drugs - increase the chance of birth defects, premature babies and still birth
- Psychological status - disturbed state of mind
- Stress - increase the changes of having a premature baby
- Type of work
Includes specific risks like smoking and alcohol intake
What are the socio-demographic risk factors in pregnancy?
- Low income
- Lack of Prenatal Care
- Age ( <18 yrs. or >35 yrs)
- Parity (>5 pregnancies)
- Marital Status
- Residence
- Ethnicity
Refers to population groups sharing a common cultural backgrounds / beliefs.
Ethnicity
What are the danger signs of pregnancy?
- Spotting or vaginal bleeding
- Persistent vomiting
- Chills, headache, and fever
- Clear fluid discharge from the vagina
- Abdominal or chest pain
- Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH)
- Changes in fetal movements (absence, increase or decrease)
- Anasarca (generalized edema)
- Dysuria
- Visual changes
- Breathing problems
Nurses must emphasize the importance of recognizing these signs
Define teratogens.
Any factor(chemical or physical) that adversely affects the fertilized ovum, embryo, or fetus
From the Greek word ‘Teratos’ meaning monster or deformity
What factors influence the amount of damage caused by teratogens?
- Strength of the teratogen
- Affinity for specific tissue
- Timing of teratogenic insult
Different teratogens can have varying effects based on these factors
When taken during pregnancy may cause tooth and bone development in the unborn baby.
Tetracycline
What happens to the zygote if a teratogen is intoduced before implantation?
Destroyed
What happens to the fetus if the teratogen is introduced during implantation?
Vulnerable to injuries
What happens to the fetus if a teratogen is introduced late in pregnancy?
Less Potential for Harm
What does TORCH stand for in relation to maternal infections?
(T)oxoplasmosis, (O)ther agents, (R)ubella, (C)ytomegalovirus, (H)erpes Simplex
Refers to infections that can cross the placenta during pregnancy
Is a group of blood tests to determine whether these infections exist in either the pregnant woman or the newborn
TORCH Screen
What is the teratogenic effect of Toxoplasmosis?
Can cause central nervous system damage to the fetus, such as hydrocephalus and microcephaly
Infection is typically from contact with uncooked meat or cat feces
Drug of choice for Toxoplasmosis
Pyrimethamine
Methods of contact for toxoplasmosis
- Cleaning the cat’s litter box when the cat has shed toxoplasma in its feces
- Touching or ingesting anything that has come into contact with cat feces that contain toxoplasma gondii
- Accidentally ingesting contaminated soil.
- Mother-to-child
What are some teratogenic infections other than Toxoplasmosis?
- Rubeola (measles)
- Mumps
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
- Poliomyelitis
- Influenza
- Viral hepatitis
- Coxsackie virus
Each has its own implications for maternal and fetal health
What are the effects of Rubella on the fetus?
Can lead to deafness, IUGR, dental & facial clefts, cataracts, and cardiac defects
Teratogenic effects can be severe even if the mother experiences mild symptoms
When should a woman undergo Rubella immunization?
3 months before pregnancy
What teratogenic effects are associated with Herpes Simplex Virus during pregnancy?
Can cause severe congenital anomalies or spontaneous miscarriages if contracted in the first trimester; increases the risk of premature birth in later trimesters
The virus can cross the placenta and affect fetal development
Is one of the Herpes virus, transmitted by droplet infection from one person to another
Cytomegalovirus
What happens to the infant after birth if a woman with cytomegalovirus infection during the pregnancy and & if the virus crosses the placenta
Infant will be born with:
- severe neurological challenge
- eye damage
- deafness or,
- chronic liver disease
Prevention from exposure to drouplets
Handwashing before & after eating
What is the teratogenic effect of cigarette smoking during pregnancy?
Commonly causes growth retardation and low birth weight due to vasoconstriction of uterine vessels
Nicotine limits blood supply to the fetus
Is there a safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy?
There is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy or while trying to get pregnant
All types of alcohol are equally harmful
What are the potential effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy?
- Craniofacial deformities
- Cognitive impairment
- Growth issues
Women should completely abstain from alcohol during pregnancy
What congenital deformities are associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy?
Craniofacial deformities, cognitive impairment
Includes short palpebral fissures, thin upper lip, upturned nose, and small head circumference.
Should pregnant women consume alcohol?
Women should completely abstain from alcohol during pregnancy.
Is there a known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy?
There is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy.
Are all types of alcohol equally harmful during pregnancy?
Yes, all types of alcohol, including wines and beer, are equally harmful.
What principle should pregnant women follow regarding drug use?
Pregnant women should not take any drugs or food supplements not specifically prescribed or approved by a physician.
What should women of childbearing age do regarding drug use?
They should not take drugs unless prescribed by a physician.
What is a known environmental teratogen?
Radiation is a potent teratogen to unborn children.
Why is radiation considered a teratogen?
Due to the high proportion of rapidly growing cells present in unborn children.
What are common examples of chemical teratogens?
Metal and chemical hazards, lead poisoning
Includes carbon monoxide from motor vehicle exhaust, exposure to mercury, and lead from paints and plastics.
