PNRC 01 Flashcards
3 Symptoms of preeclampsia
generalized edema, HTN (that wasn’t there before pregnancy), and proteinuria.
What are the three processes that could result in surfactant not being produced?
Hypothermia, hypoxia, and acidosis
**This results in premature surfactant which will not have PG present.
What is polyhydraminos? and what likely causes it?
Increase of amniotic fluid, commonly caused from anencephaly.
What can help jump start lung development in a premature baby?
Corticosteroids
What are the two common corticosteroids used for lung development?
Betamethasone/Dexamethasone
What are the three treatments for preeclampsia
Deliver the fetus, antihypertensives, and magnesium sulfate (for seizure activity)
What is the most reliable way to assess pulmonary maturity?
To screen for the presence of PG
What do you want the L:S ratio to be in a healthy person?
2:1 or greater
What are the 3 shunts in order?
Ductus Venous- Bypasses the liver
Foramen Ovale- Inside the heart, allows opening between atria
Ductus Arteriosus- ???
How does the ductus arteriosis close?
closes due to an increase in oxygen
Meconium is usually present when what?
When the baby is under stress/hypoxia
What are the two hallmark signs that the mother is experiencing placental abruption?
Decrease in BP and sudden fetal distress (severe bradycardia and acidosis)
The umbilical cord is made up of what?
two arteries and one vein
What purpose does the amniotic fluid serve?
Protects the baby, allows for movement, and temperature regulation.
What is found in between the arteries and vein in the cord that allows for extra protection?
Wharton’s Jelly- Helps prevent damage such as kinking of the umbilical cord.
What allows for the baby to survive in such a hypoxic environment while in utero?
The production of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) which increased the it’s affinity to oxygen
What does the presence of variable decels tell us?
It can be either good or bad, and if it is bad, it’s typically affiliated with cord compression.
What are the 4 ways to assess prenatal status?
Ultrasound
Amniocentesis
Nonstress Test and Contraction stress test
Fetal Biophysical Profile
What is the one thing to remember with fetal biophysical profile testing?
This test is primarily done with people who are have high risk pregnancies
What is the number one cause of bradycardia?
Hypoxia. Bradycardia is defined as <100
What HR is considered tachycardic?
> 180
Accelerations during HR fetal monitoring tells us what?
This is a good thing. It means the infant is tolerating the contractions very well.
What age ranges can put someone in a high risk pregnancy?
<17 years or >35
Term infant
38-42 weeks
When is the person considered a fetus?
from 8 to 40 weeks
At what point will the child have at least some ‘true alveoli’ and when does the alveoli eventually stop developing?
at 36 weeks and will continue to develop until age 8
Define tocolysis
Procedure using several meds to help prolong birth of a premature baby. The medications aim to: 1 stop labor 2 increase lung maturity 3 increase Hb 4 increase fetal development
Increase in pressure in the left side of the heart helps close which shunt?
Foramen Ovale
What purpose does the ductus arteriosis serve?
Diverts blood from the pulmonary arteries away from the lungs to the aorta
What are three true things regarding fetal lung fluid?
1 comes from the amniotic fluid
2 keeps airways open in utero
3 helps airways keep their shape
Three complications that can arise from a post-term birth
1 Oligohydraminos
2 Placental Insufficiency
3 Meconium
Most common cause of placental abruption
Maternal HTN
Pressure necessary for a baby to take a breath
Needs to be minimum -40 to -100 cmH2O
What is the primary factor that drives the baby to first start breathing?
Increase of PaCO2 (Birth asphyxia)
Define gestational age
Age from conception up to the current date.
*If baby was born at 26 weeks and has been born for 4 weeks= gestational age of 30 weeks (26+4)
