Postpartum Complications Flashcards

1
Q

How is Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) classified?

A
  • Immediate – occurs within 24 hours of delivery
  • Late – occurs anywhere between 24 hours after delivery until 6 weeks postpartum
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2
Q

Different stages of PPH?

A
  • Stage 1: blood loss >1000ml with normal vital signs and lab values
  • Stage 2: Continued bleeding with EBL up to 1500ml or already received >2 uterotonics and normal vital signs
  • Stage 3: Continued bleeding with EBL > 1500ml or >2 RBC given or possible occult bleeding/coagulopathy, or abnormal VS
  • Stage 4: Cardiovascular collapse
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3
Q

Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) medium risk factors during admission?

A
  • prior cesarean, uterine surgery, or multiple laparotomies
  • multiple gestation
  • > 4 prior births
  • prior PPH
  • large myomas
  • EFW > 4000 g
  • obesity (BMI > 40)
  • hematocrit < 30 %
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4
Q

Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) high risk factors during admission?

A
  • placenta previa / low lying
  • suspected accreta / percreta
  • platelet count < 70,000
  • active bleeding
  • known coagulopathy
  • 2 or more medium risk factors
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5
Q

PPH medium risk factors during intrapartum?

A
  • chorioamnionitis
  • prolonged oxytocin > 24 hours
  • prolonged 2nd stage
  • magnesium sulfate
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6
Q

PPH high risk factors during intrapartum?

A
  • new active bleeding
  • 2 or more medium risk factors
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7
Q

PPH nursing interventions?

A
  • Call for assistance
  • Frequent uterine assessment (fundal location, firmness) and vital signs
  • Fundal massage
  • Empty bladder
  • Notify the provider
  • IV access, preferably 18g
  • Administer uterotonics
    • Oxytocin
    • Methergine: PO or IM, NEVER IV push
    • Misoprostol
    • Hemabate
  • TXA: tranexamic acid preserves the fibrin/clotting network
  • Accurately assess and record blood loss via QBL
  • Prepare for blood product administration
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8
Q

What to consider for Postpartum Infection?

A
  • Consider dehydration
  • Breast engorgement
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Endometritis – infection of the endometrium
    • Prolonged ROM
    • Internal fetal monitoring
    • GBS Status
    • Operative vaginal delivery
  • Postoperative wound/laceration infection
    • Redness
    • drainage from incision
    • tenderness
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9
Q

Postpartum Infection S/S?

A
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Chills
  • Increased pulse rate
  • Uterine tenderness
  • Costovertebral angle tenderness
  • Lower abdominal/pelvic pain
  • Foul-smelling lochia
  • Painful urination
  • Wound drainage, redness
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10
Q

Postpartum Infection nursing interventions?

A
  • Watch vital signs closely
    • Tachycardia can be early sign of worsening infection
    • Chills/fever
  • Anticipate possible need for blood cultures
  • IV antibiotics administered per orders
  • Watch infant for signs of infection
  • Promote bonding and breastfeeding as appropriate
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11
Q

DVT / VTE risk factors?

A
  • Cesarean delivery
  • Varicose veins
  • Co-morbidities: Diabetes, IBD, cardiac disease, hypertension, lupus
  • Preterm delivery
  • Stillbirth
  • AMA (age > 35)
  • Multiple birth
  • BMI at least 25
  • Clotting disorder
  • Smoking
  • Infection
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12
Q

DVT / VTE signs?

A
  • Unilateral leg pain and edema
  • May be warm and tender
    • Homan’s sign– no longer checked
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13
Q

DVT / VTE nursing interventions?

A
  • Prevention is key!
    • Mechanical compression devices (SCDs) for pts on prolonged bedrest or s/p C/S
    • Early ambulation (within 12 hours of C/S)
  • Assessment: extremities
    • Pulses, edema, pain/tenderness, diameter
  • Bedrest (don’t want to dislodge clot)
  • Elevate affected extremity
  • Anti-thombolytic stockings
  • Anticoagulants
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14
Q

Preeclampsia risk factors?

A
  • 16-20% chance she will have either gestational HTN or preeclampsia in future pregnancy.
  • Greater risk of recurrence with earlier gestational onset.
  • History of preeclampsia or gestational HTN is a major risk factor for future development of cardiovascular disease.
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15
Q

Preeclampsia symptoms?

A
  • SBP > 140 or DBP > 90
  • Proteinuria > 300 mg/24 hr
  • Headache not relieved by Tylenol
  • Visual disturbances
  • Epigastric or RUQ pain
  • Seizure activity
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16
Q

Preeclampsia nursing interventions?

A
  • Administer magnesium sulfate
  • Patients on Mag need frequent assessment of:
    • VS, DTR, I&O, LOC
    • Toxicity: absent reflexes, respiratory rate <12, altered LOC
    • Calcium gluconate is the antidote
  • Administer antihypertensives
17
Q

Cardiomyopathy risk factors?

A
  • Maternal: AMA, HTN, diabetes, obesity, primipara, family history, environmental risk factors, substance abuse
  • Fetal factors: multiple gestation, assisted reproduction
  • Pregnancy conditions: preeclampsia/eclampsia, anemia, thyroid dysfunction, poorly controlled asthma or autoimmune condition
  • Delivery related: prolonged tocolysis
18
Q

Cardiomyopathy symptoms?

A
  • chest discomfort
  • cold extremities
  • fatigue
  • nocturnal cough
  • nocturnal dyspnea
  • orthopnea
  • palpitations
  • peripheral edema
  • sinus tachycardia
19
Q

Cardiomyopathy treatment?

A
  • Aggressive diuresis
  • ACE inhibitors-after delivery only
  • Anti-coagulation therapy
  • Beta blockers
  • Heart transplantation
  • Mechanical assistive devices
20
Q

List some PPH medications.

A

1st-line:

  • Oxytocin (Pitocin)
  • Methylergonovine (Methergine)
  • Misoprostol (Cytotec)
  • Carboprost (Hemabate)

2nd-line:

  • Tranexamic Acid (TXA)
21
Q

How do the 1st-line PPH medications work?

A

stimulates uterine contractions

22
Q

Hemabate contraindications?

A

Use with caution in patients with HTN or asthma

23
Q

Methergine contraindications?

A
  • HTN
  • Preeclampsia
24
Q

TXA indication?

A
  • 2nd-line medication (given after 1st-line medications and interventions not effective)
  • Reduces bleeding by inhibiting breakdown of fibrin blood clots
25
Q

TXA contraindications?

A
  • History of coagulopathy
  • Active intravascular clotting (HELLP syndrome)
26
Q

List some Preeclampsia medications.

A
  • Magnesium Sulfate
  • Antihypertensives
    • Nifedipine
    • Labetalol
    • Hydralazine
27
Q

Magnesium sulfate indication?

A

prevents seizures that may occur with preeclampsia

28
Q

Antihypertensives indication?

A

sustained SBP ≥ 160 or DBP ≥ 110

29
Q

Factors contributing to maternal morbidity and mortality?

A

Direct causes:

  • Severe bleeding (mostly bleeding after childbirth);
  • Infections (usually after childbirth)
  • High blood pressure during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia and eclampsia)
  • Complications from delivery
  • Complications of unsafe abortion

Indirect causes: infectious and non-communicable diseases

30
Q

What role do nurses play in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality?

A
  • Safety bundles with evidence-based guidelines
    • Hemorrhage
    • Sepsis
    • CV disease
    • VTE
    • HTN disorders
  • Implicit bias training
  • Mock codes/simulations
  • Quantifying blood loss
  • Communication
  • Get involved!