The Pregnant Trauma Patient

Question 1

When are radiation effects most dangerous?

Answer 1

From weeks 2-7. Avoid CT of abdomen, if it is truly necessary, then limit area studied or number of cuts

Question 2

If CPR is necessary in a pregnant woman:

Answer 2

Supine positioning, but displace gravid uterus to left , delivery of fetus may need to be emergently perfomred in order to apply effective CPR

Question 3

Why is ketamine not a good chocie in pregnant pateints/

Answer 3

increases uterine tone and decreases uteroplacental perfusion making it a suboptimal drug, evne in hemodynamic instability

Question 4

Rh positive and negativity in pregnant trauma pt:

Answer 4

women who are Rh negative must be treated with Rh D immunogloculin within 72 hours to prevent maternal isoimmunization, continue FHR monitoring in the post op period