Maternal Assessments Flashcards
Rh negative
What is the normal blood pressure range?
90 to 140 systolic
60 to 90 diastolic
What blood pressure reading is consider hypertensive?
Above 140 systolic
What blood pressure reading is considered hypotensive?
Systolic below 90
Diastolic below 60
What is the normal temperature range?
36.5 - 37.5 degrees celsius
What is the normal expected respiration rate?
Between 10 and 20 respirations per minute
What are the symptoms of vaginal thrush in mamas?
- Itching
- Pain during urination
- Discharge; thick, odourless
- Swollen vagina
- Uncomfortable feeling when having sex
What increases the risk of developing candidiasis (vaginal thrush)?
- Wearing tight clothes
- Synthetic underwear
- Pregnant women
- Taking a course of antibiotics
What is the treatment and dose for vaginal thrush?
- Only treat woman if she is symptomatic
- Send vaginal swab for culture prior to commencing treatment to confirm organisms
- Clotrimazole 1% (35g) vaginal cream - insert 1 applicator full of cream into vagina (5g) once daily before bed for 6 days
- Micronazole Nitrate 2% (40g) vaginal cream- insert 1 applicator (5g) full once daily before bed for 6/7 days
- Consult with obstetrican if a woman has symptomatic recurrent thrush during pregnancy
What are the symptoms of thrush on nipples?
- Deep breast pain
- Stabbing pain or nipple pain that does not resolve after feeding
- Nipples are pink and shiny
What is the treatment and advice for thrush on nipples
- Topical anti-fungal cream
- Miconazole 2% cream applied after breastfeeding twice daily for 10 - 14 days
- Cream should be gently wiped off prior to breastfeeding
What is hyperemesis gravidarum?
- Severe and persistent vomiting that interferes with fluid intake and nutrition status that can result in dehydration, malnutrition, weight loss, fatigue and electrolyte and acid-base imbalance
What are the risk factors for hyperemesis gravidarum?
- Previous history of hyperemesis
- Multiple gestation due to increase hCG
- Molar pregnancy
- Preexisting diabetes
-Depression or psychiatric illness - Hyperthyroid disorder
- Peptic ulcer or other GI disorder
- Asthma
What is the pathophysiology of hyperemesis gravidarum?
- Serum hCG is higher = hCG stimulates secretory processes in the upper GI tract
- Increased oestrogen = decrease in intestinal motility and gastric
If a mama presents to you with severe nausea and vomiting, what assessments will you make?
Full maternal assessment - urinalysis, symptoms, severity, nutrition, how are they feeling
Obs - BP, P, T
Weight - compare to past/pre pregnancy
History of vomiting
Are they tolerating fluids - how much
Past history of hyperemesis
Ketones in urine = dehyrdated - how much urine are they passing, what colour/how concentrated?
Serum urea and electrolytes - FBC urgent
Assess risk/symptoms of preclampsia
Assess risk/symptoms of VTE
Are they dehydrated or malnourished = urgent referral to hospital
Do they need referral to GP for stomach bug?
What management should you do for a woman symptomatic of hyperemesis?
- Send for urgent referral at hospital for treatment of dehydration, malnutrition and electrolyte replacement in consultation with obstetrics
- Do not prescribe antiemetic of own accord. Consultation with obstetric team should be made before any medication prescribed.
How would you care for a woman symptomatic of hypermedia in the hospital?
- Full assessment and observations
- What are the current and local guidelines
- Weight - compare weights
- IV access
- Consider IV fluids after consultation
- Bloods and urine for MSU, FBC, ALT, AST, uric acid, electrolytes - sodium and potassium
- 2‐3L of IV fluid before maintenance fluids are commenced. The IV fluids are usually normal saline with added potassium complemented with daily electrolyte monitoring.
- 1L of normal saline daily for normal function, alongside oral fluids as tolerance increases.
- Whānau who are unable to keep anything down may also be given IV glucose, up to 150‐200g per day
What is first line antiemetic prescribed to woman with nausea and vomiting? What is the dose and frequency?
- Metoclopramide (Maxalon) 5 - 10mg IV, IM or PO 8 hourly for a maximum of 5 days
What adverse effects are associated with Metoclopramide?
- Generally avoid in first trimester due to risk of effects on mother and baby
- Risk of dystonic reactions in mother
What second line treatments can be prescribed for nausea and vomiting?
Cyclizine, Ondansetron, Prochlorperazine
What is the the first line treatment for nausea and vomiting intrapartum and its dose?
Metroclopramide hydrochloride 10mg/2ml injection. IV dose given as slow bolus over at least 3 minutes
What are the symptoms of heart burn?
- Burning pain in the middle of chest
- Sharp pain in chest
What is the pathophysiology of heartburn?
Caused by a reduction in the oesophageal sphincter pressure and an increase in gastric emptying during pregnancy causing regurgitation of acidic gastric content into the oesophagus
What assessments should you make when diagnosing heartburn?
- Assess for symptoms of PET as they have similar symptoms (BP, urinalysis, blurred vision, epigastric pain, headaches, oedema, reflexes)
- Pain: where does the pain occur, where is the plan, what does the pain feel like, what relieves the pain, is the pain recurrent or persistent
- What is her diet/eating habits e.g. spicy food, lying down after eating
- FBC, ferritin, antibodies, LFTs, renal function, MSU
- Fetal assessment - FHR, fetal movements, fundal height, palpation
What non medical treatment advice can you give for heartburn?
- Avoid coffee and caffeine products
- Avoid spicy food
- Avoid heavy meals but eat regularly
- Sit in upright position after meals to avoid reflux
- If symptoms occur at night = raise your bed by 10cm
What kind of medical treatment can a midwife prescribe for heartburn?
Antacids
What are antacids?
Type of medications that neutralise stomach acids to provide fast relief but do not heal existing esophageal damage
Why can persistent heartburn be a problem?
Can cause damage to the esophagus over time
What type of antacid medications can a midwife prescribe?
Mylanta (aluminum hydroxide), Eno, Quick-eye, Gaviscon