Module 8 (Exam 3) Hypertensive Disorders Flashcards
What are the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy?
- Preeclampsia and Eclampsia
- Gestational Hypertension
- Chronic Hypertension
Preeclampsia
An increase in BP after 20 weeks’ gestation, accompanied by proteinuria. Most common hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. 2-6% in nuiliparous women
Criteria for Preeclampsia
BP 140/90 or greater X2 readings
Proteinuria greater than or equal to 1+
Eclampsia
The occurence of a seizure in a woman with preeclampsia who has no other identified cause for seizure activity
Risk Factors for Preeclampsia/Eclampsia
- Primigravid status
- Age less than 16 or greater than 35
- Family Hisotry
- Pre-existing renal or vascular disease
- Large Placental mass: diabetes, multiple gestation, gestational trophoblastic disease
Onset of preeclampsia and eclampsia
- During the last 10 weeks of pregnancy
- During labor
- During the initial 48-72 hours postpartum
What is the cure for preeclampsia/eclampsia?
Delivery of infant and placenta
Current etiology of preeclampsia/eclampsia
- Incomplete trophoblastric “remodeling” of spiral arteries at implantation
- Impaired placental implantation
- Compromised placental perfusion
- Systemic response
How preeclampsia develops
- Abonormal placental perfusion stimulates production of blood-borne biochemicals
- Multisystemic endothelial (lining of blood vessels) cellular injury
- Activation of coagulation system
- Platelet clumping at injury site
- Increased peripheral vascular resistance
- Generalized vasospasm and vasoconstriction
- Hypoperfusion
What organ systems does preeclampsia effect?
- Placenta
- Kidneys
- Brain
- Liver
- Lungs
How does preeclampsia effect the placenta?
- Decreased placental perfusion
- Fetal hypoxia
- Intrauterine growth restriction
- Potential for placental infarct/abruption
How does preeclampsia effect the kidneys?
- Decreased renal perfusion
- Impaired glomerular filtration
- Loss of intravascular serum albumin leading to proteinuria
- Fluid shift from intravascular to extravascular spaces leading to generalized edema
- Hypovolemia R/T intravascular volume deficit
Mild Preeclampsia Clinical Manifestations
140/90 BP or higher
Proteinuria 1+ or 2+
Rapid weight gain (generalized edema)
Home management of mild preeclampsia
- Rest
- Adequate protein intake
- Daily weights, BP, urine for proteinuria
- Periodic lab values: CBC and platelets, 24 hour urine for creatinine clearance and protein
- Fetal: serial NSTs/Kick Counts
Severe Preeclampsia Clinical Manifestations
- 160/110 X2 readings
- Proteinuria of 3+ or greater
- Oliguria: Less than 500mL/24 hours
- Thrombocytopenia: Less than 100,000
- Pulmonary Edema
Management of severe preeclampsia
- Bed rest in lateral position
- Chemical management
- IVF and electrolyte replacement (strict I&O and weights)
- Seizure Precautions: lower stimuli
- Neurologic and pulmonary assessments
- Fetal: serial NSTs
Impending Seizure Activity
- Headache
- Anxiety, confusioin
- Scotomata
- Hyperreflexia
- Right upper quadrant pain: epigastric pain
Hyperreflexia
Increase in deep tendon reflexes R/T neurologic hyperactivity
- 0 = reflex absent
- 1+ = weak reflex
- 2+ = normal response
- 3+ = exaggerated response
- 4+ = hyperactive: possibly with clonus
Clonus
Dorsiflexion causes two beats upon rebound
Medications for preeclampsia
- IV magnesium sulfate
- Antihypertensives
- Nifedipine (Procardia)
- Hydralazine (Apressoline
- Labetalol (Normodyne)
IV magnesium sulfate
- First line treatment for preeclampsia or eclampsia
- CNS depressant (primary), anticonvulsant
- Peripheral vasodilator (decreases BP)
- Antidote: calcium gluconate
Therapeutic level of magnesium
4-8mgs/dl
Magnesium Toxicity
- RR depression (decreased oxygen saturation)
- Hypotonic reflexes
- Oliguria (less than 30 mL/hour)
Nifedipidine (Procardia)
- Calcium channel blocker
- Also used as a tocolytic
Hydralazine (Apressoline)
Vasodilator: placental perfusion
Labetalol (Normodyne)
Beta blocker
HELLP Syndrome
A coagulation abnormality associated with severe preeclampsia or eclampsia
H: Hemolysis of RBCs
EL: Elevated liver enzymes (ALT, AST)
LP: Low platelets
Postpartum Care for preclampsia/eclampsia
- Monitor PP hemodynamics closely
- Fundal assessments
Gestational HTN
- Occurs after mid-pregnancy
- Not accompanied by proteinuria
- May progress to preeclampsia
Chronic HTN
- May be unrecognized until pregnancy
- Does not progress to preeclampsia