Maternity Flashcards
APGAR Scores
♦ Assigned based on a quick review of systems that is completed at 1 and 5 min of life.
♦ Assesses extrauterine adaptation (appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, respiration)
- 0 to 3 indicates severe distress
- 4 to 6 indicates moderate distress
- 7 to 10 indicates no distress
Heart rate
0 = Absent
1 = Less than 100
2 = Greater than 100
Respiratory rate
0 = Absent
1 = Slow, weak cry
2 = Good cry
Muscle tone
0 = Flaccid
1 = Some flexion
2 = Well-flexed
Reflex irritability
0 = None
1 = Grimace
2 = Cry
Color
0 = Blue, pale
1 = Pink body, cyanotic hands and feet (acrocyanosis)
2 = Completely pink
Newborn
Expected Reference Ranges
of
Physical Measurement
Expected reference ranges of physical measurements
■ Weight: 2,500g (5.5lbs) to 4,000g (8.8lbs)
■ Length: 45 to 55 cm (18 to 22 in)
■ Head circumference: 32 to 36.8 cm (12.6 to 14.5 in)
■ Chest circumference: 30 to 33 cm (12 to 13 in)
Newborn Vitals
Sequence: respirations, heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature. Observe respiratory rate first before newborn becomes active or agitated.
Respirations: 30 to 60/min with short periods of apnea (<15 sec, greater than 15sec needs to be reported)
Heart rate: 100 to 160/min with brief fluctuations above and below this range depending on activity level (crying, sleeping)
- NCLEX: 120-160 (apical); 80-100 (sleeping); up to 180 (crying)
Blood Pressure: 60-80 mmHg systolic over 40-50 mmHg diastolic
Temperature: 36.5° to 37.2° C (97.7° to 98.9° F) axillary
Milia
♦ Small raised white spots on the nose, chin, and forehead of a newborn.
♦ These spots disappear spontaneously without treatment (parents should not squeeze the spots).
Mongolian Spot
♦ Bluish purple spots of pigmentation
♦ Commonly noted on the shoulders, back, and buttocks.
♦ Frequently present on newborns who have dark skin.
♦ Be sure the parents are aware of Mongolian spots, and document location and presence.
Telangiectatic Nevi (Stork Bites)
♦ Flat pink or red marks that easily blanch
♦ Found on the back of the neck, nose, upper eyelids, and middle of the forehead.
♦ Usually fade by the second year of life.
Nevus Flammeus (Port Wine Stain)
♦ A capillary angioma below the surface of the skin that is purple or red, varies in size and shape, is commonly seen on the face
♦ Does not blanch or disappear.
Erythema Toxicum (Erythema Neonatorum)
♦ A pink rash that appears suddenly anywhere on the body of a term newborn during the first 3 weeks.
♦ Frequently referred to as newborn rash.
♦ No treatment is required.
Caput succedaneum
♦ Localized swelling of the soft tissues of the scalp caused by pressure on the head during labor
♦ An expected finding that may be palpated as a soft edematous mass and may cross over the suture line.
♦ Usually resolves in 3 to 4 days and does not require treatment.
Cephalohematoma
♦ A collection of blood between the periosteum and the skull bone that it covers.
♦ Does not cross the suture line.
♦ Results from trauma during birth such as pressure of the fetal head against the maternal pelvis in a prolonged difficult labor or forceps delivery.
♦ Appears in the first 1 to 2 days after birth and resolves in 2 to 3 weeks.
Epstein’s pearls
♦ Small white cysts found on the gums and at the junction of the soft and hard palates
♦ Expected findings
♦ Result from the accumulation of epithelial cells and disappear a few weeks after birth.
Sucking and Rooting reflex
♦ Elicited by stroking the cheek or edge of mouth.
♦ Newborn turns the head toward the side that is touched and starts to suck.
♦ Timeframe: Birth to 4 months
Palmar grasp
♦ Elicited by placing an object in the newborn’s palm.
♦ The newborn grasps the object.
♦ Timeframe: Birth to 6 months
Plantar grasp
♦ Elicited by touching the sole of the foot.
♦ The newborn responds by curling toes downward.
♦ Timeframe: Birth to 8 months
Moro Reflex
♦ Elicited by striking a flat surface that the newborn is lying on, or allowing the head and trunk of the newborn in a semisitting position to fall backward to an angle of at least 30°.
♦ Arms and legs symmetrically extend and then abduct while fingers spread to form a “C.”
♦ Timeframe: Birth to 4 months
Startle reflex
♦ This reflex is elicited by clamping hands or by a loud noise.
♦ The newborn will abduct arms at the elbows, and the hands will remain unclenched.
♦ Timeframe: Birth to 4 months
Tonic neck reflex (Fencer position)
♦ The newborn extends arm and leg on the side when head is turned to that side with flexion of arm and leg of opposite side.
♦ Timeframe: Birth to 3 to 4 months
Babinski’s reflex
♦ Elicited by stroking outer edge of sole of the foot, moving up toward toes.
♦ Toes will fan upward and out.
♦ Timeframe: Birth to 1 year
Stepping
♦ Elicited by holding the newborn upright with feet touching a flat surface.
♦ The newborn responds with stepping movements.
♦ Timeframe: Birth to 4 weeks
Newborn Complications: Hypothermia
♦ Monitor for an axillary temperature of less than 36.5º C (97.7º F).
♦ If temperature is unstable, place the newborn in a radiant warmer, and maintain skin temperature at approximately 36.5º C (97.7º F).
♦ Assess axillary temperature every hour until stable.
♦ All exams and assessments should be performed under a radiant warmer.
Newborn Reference Ranges: Glucose
40 to 60 mg/dL
Newborn Reference Ranges: Bilirubin
Day 1: 0 to 6 mg/dL
Day 2: 8 mg/dL or less
Day 3: 12 mg/dL or less
Menopause: S/S
♦ Vasomotor symptoms – Hot flashes and irregular menses
♦ Genitourinary – Atrophic vaginitis, shrinking of labia, decreased vaginal secretions, dyspareunia, increased vaginal pH, vaginal dryness, incontinence
♦ Psychologic – Mood swings, changes in sleep patterns, and decreased REM sleep
♦ Skeletal – Decreased bone density
♦ Cardiovascular – Decreased HDL and increased LDL
♦ Dermatologic – Decreased skin elasticity and loss of hair on head and in the pubic area
♦ Reproductive – Breast tissue changes
Gravidity
Gravida = pregnant woman
Gravidity = number of pregnancies
Nulligravida = never been pregnant
Primigravida = first pregnancy
Multigravida = at least second pregnancy
Parity
Parity = the number of pregnancies (NOT the number of fetuses) carried past 20wks (regardless of outcome)
GTPAL
G = gravidity (# of pregnancies, including the present pregnancy)
T = term births (longer than 37wks)
P = preterm births (less than 37wks)
A = abortions or miscarriages (included in gravida if <20wks; included in parity of >20wks)
L = # of living children
Signs of Pregnancy: Presumptive
- Amenorrhea
- N/V
- Increased size and increased feeling of fullness in breasts
- Pronounced nipples
- Urinary frequency
- Quickening (first perception of fetal movement)
- Fatigue
- Discoloration of vaginal mucosa
Signs of Pregnancy: Probable
♦ Uterine enlargement
♦ Hegar’s sign: compressibility and softening of the lower uterine segment that occurs at about week 6
♦ Goodell’s sign: softening of the cervix that occurs at the beginning of the second month
♦ Chadwick’s sign: violet coloration of the mucous membranes of the cervix, vagina, and vulva that occurs at about week 4
♦ Ballottement: rebounding of the fetus against the examiner’s finger on palpation
♦ Braxton Hicks contractions: irregular painless contractions that may occur intermittently throughout pregnancy
♦ Positive pregnancy test for determination of the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin
Hegar’s Sign
- Compressibility and softening of the lower uterine segment that occurs at about week 6
- Probable sign of pregnancy
Goodell’s Sign
- Softening of the cervix that occurs at the beginning of the second month
- Probable sign of pregnancy
Chadwick’s Sign
- Violet coloration of the mucous membranes of the cervix, vagina, and vulva that occurs at about week 4
- Probable sign of pregnancy
Ballottement
- Rebounding of the fetus against the examiner’s finger on palpation
- Probable sign of pregnancy
Braxton Hicks Contractions
- Irregular painless contractions that may occur intermittently throughout pregnancy
- Probable sign of pregnancy
Signs of Pregnancy: Positive (Diagnostic)
- Fetal heart rate detected by electronic device (Doppler transducer) at 10-12wks
- Active fetal movements palpable by examiner
- Visualization of fetus via radiography or ultrasonography
Fundal Height
♦ Measured to evaluate the gestational age of the fetus
♦ During 2nd and 3rd trimesters, fundal height in cm approximately equals fetal age in weeks (+/- 2cm)
♦ At 16wks, fundal height is usually halfway btwn symphysis pubis and umbilicus
♦ At 20-22wks, the fundus is approximately at the umbilicus
♦ At 36wks, the fundus is at the xiphoid process
Interventions for N/V
eating dry crackers before arising
avoiding brushing teeth immediately after arising
eating small, frequent, low-fat meals during the day
drinking liquids b/w meals rather than at meals
avoiding fried foods and spice foods
asking the HCP about accupressure or use of herbal remedies
Adolescent Pregnancies: Concerns
♦ Poor nutritional status
♦ Emotional and behavioral difficulties
♦ Lack of support systems
♦ Increased risk of stillbirth
♦ Increased risk of low-birth-weight infants
♦ Increased risk of fetal mortality
♦ Increased risk of cephalopelvic disproportion
♦ Increased risk of maternal complications including: hypertension, anemia, prolonged labor, and infections
Pregnancy & Rubella (German Measles)
♦ Maternal infection during the first 8wks of gestation carries the highest rate of fetal infection
Pregnancy: Physiological Changes
Cardiovascular System: blood volume increases, plasma increases, total RBC volume increases (40-50%); H&H levels decline due to increased plasma volume
- A decreased hemoglobin to less than 10g/dL and/or a decreased hematocrit to less than 30% indicates anemia
Respiratory System: O2 consumption increases 15-20%, diaphragm is elevated
GI System: progesterone and decreased motility can cause consitpation
GU: urinary frequency usually occurs in 1st and 3rd trimesters
Endocrine System: basal metabolic rate increases
Skin: progesterone and estrogen levels trigger an increase in melanocyte-stimulating hormone which may increase pigmentation (e.g. striae, chloasma)
Renal: glycosuria is a common result of decreased renal threshold to glucose