Unit 3-HIGH RISK PREGNANCY AND/OR DELIVERY Flashcards
What is an abortion?
- Pregnancy loss before fetus is viable or capable of living outside the uterus (before 20 weeks or <500g)
What is the most common cause of a spontaneous abortions?
chromosomal abnormality
What are clinical manifestation of a spontaneous abortion?
list 3
- uterine cramping, backache, and peliv pressure
- Passing of products of conception
- bright red vaginal bleeding
What is a threatened abortion?
Spotting without cervical changes- pregnancy threatened
What is an inevitable abortion?
- Cannot stop, open cervical os, moderate to heavy bleeding, passing tissue
What is an incomplete abortion?
Not all products of conception are expelled
requires D&C to prevent infection
What is a complete abortion?
All products of conception are expelled- no treatment required.
What are s/s of sepsis from an abortion?
- fever, abdominal pain, tenderness (over uterus), foul-smelling vaginal discharge, scant to heavy bleeding
What is a missed abortion?
- Fetus dies but remains in uterus; can cause dead fetus syndrome and may develope DIC (D&C Required)
What is a recurrent/habital spontanous abortion?
- defined as 3 or more spontanous abortions
What is abortion management for a missed or incomplete abortion?
- D&C (<13 weeks) or D&E (>13weeks) may be required
- Prostaglandin E3 or cytotec- induce contractions to expel the fetus
What are major complications for a missed abortion?
- Infection
- DIC- disseminated intravascular coagulation
If we have a mom experiencing recurrent spontaneous abortions what might we do for them?
- Examination of reporductive organs as indicated
- Refer for genetic counseling
- Identify hormone/endocrine problems
True or false: Giving Rho (D) immune globulin is important to be given even with abortions for moms that are RH-
True
What is the psychological impact of abortions?
- Frightening; waiting and watching is difficult
- Feel acute sense of loss and grief, anger, disappointment, and sadness
- Grief can last up to 18 months- they grieve for fantasies of unseen, unborn child
- may feel guilt and speculation they could have prevented the loss
- Nurses shold convey acceptance of feeligs expressed and provide information and simple brief explanations of what has occured
Abortions can be….what kind of choice
therapeutic or elective
caution asking about previous abortions infront of others
What is cervical incompetence or cervical insufficiency?
- Mechanical defect in the cervix which causes premature cervical ripening
What are risk factors of cervical incompetence or cerivical insufficiency?
- Previous cervical trauma such as cervical dialation and curettage (D&C) or cauterization
- Congential structural defecs of uterus or cervix
How is cervical incompetence or cervical insufficiency managed?
Cevical cerlage (cervical stitch)
What do we need to know about cervical cerclage (cervical stitch)
- Sutures reinforce the cervix- removed near term in preperation of labor (around 36 weeks)
- Prophylactic- 12-16 weeks if history of loss/cervical insufficiency
- Rho(D) immune globulin given to RH neg. patients
- Post op monitoring and home instructions
- Antibiotics or tocolytics- to rela the uterus and stop contractions
- Montior for uterine activity, leaking fluid, or infection
- Modify activity- for about 1-2 weeks and after follow up with MD then maybe back to normal
What is an ectopic pregnancy?
- Implantation of fertilized ovum in sites other than endometrial lining of uterus (usually fallopian tube)
- Medical emergency
What should our assessment for an ectopic pregnancy include?
- Normal symptoms of pregnancy may or may not be present
- Full feeling in lower abdomen, lower quadrant tenderness
- Postive pregnancy test
Usually happens around 6-8 weeks along
What is a common place for a fetilized ovum to implant to cause an ectopic pregnancy?
Fallopian tubes
When we have a patient with s/s of an ectopic pregnancy what are our inital actions as the nurse?
- Assess vital signs STAT– looking for bp drop and hr increase– hemorrage
- check for vaginal bleedig
- start large bore IV (18g) to start fluids
- Notify provider immediately
- Assess for abdominal masses or adnexal tenderness
How do we treat ectopic pregnancies?
- Prepare patient for abdominal ultrasound
- Rapid surgical treatment for rupture ectopic
- Explain procedure and sign consents-give pre and post op instructions
- Type and cross for two untis of PRBCs
- Future pregnancy is desired and tube is not ruptured- will attempt to preserve the tube
- Observe for shock
- Rho (D) immune globulin if the patient is Rh (-)
- Medical management with methotrexate can e done only if stable
- if rupture occurs… likely to lose tube
What do we need to know about methotrexate?
- Appropriate personal protective equipment (double glove)
- Verify patient name, medication and dosage with another nurse
- Air should NOT be expelled from syringe so as not to aerosol the drug
What is our patient teaching for methotrexate?
- Urine is considered toxic for 72 hours
- Avoid getting urine on toliet seat; flush toliet twice with lid closed after voiding
2.Refrain from drinking alcohol, taking vitamins with folic acid, using NSAIDS, and avoid sundlight
What are adverse effects of Methotrexate?
- N/V and transiet abdominal pain
What is gestational trophoblastic disease (hydatidiform mole)
AKA Molar pregnancy
1. Trophoblasts that attach the fertilized ovum to uterine wall develop abnormally
What might our assessment of a patient with a molar pregnancy show?
- Higher levels of beta hCG than expected for getation
- Hyperemesis-excessive n/v
- Uterus larger than expected for gestational age
- Vaginal bleeding (first trimester) that varies from brown discarge to profuse hemorrhage
- Early development of preeclampsia before 24 weeks gestation
- Characteristic “snowstorm” pattern shows vesicles, absence of a fetal sac or heartbeat on ultrasound
- Malignant change is choriocarcinoma and mets to lung, vagina, liver and brain.
What should we know about a molor pregnancy?
- Placenta does NOT develop normally
- Embryo rarely present
- Characterized by proliferation and edema of chorionic vili into a bunch of clear vesicles in grape like clusters
- Can grow large enoguht to fill the uterus to the size of an advanced pregnancy
- Can predispose patient to choriocarcinoma
- Hydatidiform (mole) molar pregnancy is a developmental anomaly patient will be monitored for 1 year after
What is our therapeutic managment of molar pregnancy?
- evacuation of trophoblastic tissue (D&C)
- Before evacuation
- chest x-ray, ct scan or MRI to detect metastasis
- Avoid uterine stimulation- includes manual or chemical (oxytocin)
2.Treat any hyperemesis and preeclampsia
3.CBC, type and screen, and coagulation status
What is our discharge teaching for a patient that had a molar pregnancy?
- Prevent pregnancy for atleast 1 year– birth control will be important
- Obtain serum hCG levels monthly for 6 months then every 2 months for 6 months
If hCG levels rise what does this indicate in patient who had a previous molar pregnancy?
Indicates malignancy
1. Malignancy is treated with methotrexate
2. Same precautions and teaching apply as with the ectopic pregnancy with the usage of methotrexate
For a patient who had a previous molar pregnancy what signs and symptoms should we teach them to report immediately?
- Bright red vaginal bleeding
- temp sike over 100.4
- Foul smelling vaginal discharge
What is placenta previa?
- Implantation of the placenta in the lower uterus
What are the classifications of placenta previa?
- Marginal or low-lying- placenta implanted in lower uterus, but MORE than 3cm from internal cervial os
- Partial- lower placenta border with WITHIN 3cm of the internal cervical os but does not completely cover the os
- Total or complete- placenta COMPLETELY covers the internal os
What are the clinical manifestations of placenta previa?
- Sudden onset of PAINLESS vaginal bleeding- bleeding is usually bright red
- Uterus is soft, relaced and non tender
- inital episode of bleeding usually occurs end of 2nd trimester or 3rd trimester and is rarely life-threatening. Not usually seen in early pregnancy
What is our assessment of placenta previa going to show and how is it diagnosed?
- Vaginal exam is ALWAYS contraindicated with placenta previa ALWAYS
- Can cause placental seperation or tear placenta causing severe hemorrhage and death of fetus
- ultrasound to determine placental placement
What determines the managment of placenta previa?
Based on the condition of mother and fetus
1. Determine amount of hemorrhage
2. evaluate fetus using electronic fetal monitoring
3. gestational age of fetus is considered
If a mother with placenta previa is stable with no fetal compromise how will her care be managed?
- Delay birth to increase maturity and birth weight
- Corticosteriods given to speed up lung maturity of fetus
- Conservative management may take place in the hospial or home
If the doctor says the mothers placenta previa can be managed from home the following criteria must be achieved
- No evidence of active bleeding is present
- Patient can maintain strict bedrest at home except for toileting/shower
- Patient can veralize understanding of risks of how to manage care
- home is a short distance from the hospital
- Emergency systems are available for immediate transport to the hospital
- Patient can perform daily kick counts and recognize uterine activity
If a mother with placenta previa or the fetus is NOT stable how will there care be managed?
Inpatient care on antepartum unit until delivery
1. Mother/fetus are monitored closely for compromise-immediate delivery may be necessary
2. c/s (cseaction) for total or partial previa, for heavy bleeding or deterioration of mother/fetus
- additional personnel may be needed
- large bore IV (18g) and consider second line for fluid esp. if she bleeding
- Blood on standby or immediately available
- NICU team for baby.
What is abruptio placentae?
- Partial or complete premature detatchement of placenta from its implantation in uterus
What should we know about abruptio placentae
Dont ask
- Occurs in 1 in 200 pregnancies usually in the 3rd trimester esp. if overstimulated
- Cause of 15% of maternal deaths
- Considered an obstetric emergency
Abruptio placentae is related to what conditions?
- Hypertensive disorders
- high gravidity
- abdominal trauma-car accidents, falls, abuse
- Cocaine, meth, weed, or tobacco use (vasocontricts similar to HTN disease)
- short umbilical cord
- premature rupture of membranes
- previous abruptio placentae
What will our nursing assessment of abruptio placentae show?
- Bleeding concealed or overt (if overt, is dark red)
- r/t blood staying behind the placenta
- Uterine tenderness/pain that can be localized over the site of abruption
- perisistent abdominal pain
- rigid,board-like abdomen
- FHR abnormalities (Dcels)
- signs of shock- bp down, hr up
- IUPC will reveal high resting tone.
Often times with abruptio placentae you will see what as far as bleeding goes?
No bleeding
What are our nursing interventions for abruptio placentae?
- Best rest- no vaginal or rectal manipulation
- Notify provider immediately
- Place patient on side-lying position
- apply external fetal monitors- montior contractions and FHR
- IV infusion with large bore cath
- stat CBC, clotting studies, RH factor, and type/crossmatch
- Prepare for immediate cesarean section
- Provide constant surveillance-monitor for signs of DIC
- Assessfor IPV (intimate partner violence) done anytime someone has an abruption. ask privately
- quantify blood loss
- provide emotional support, teach regarding managment and expected outcomes
What would our conservative managment for abruptio placentae if mild and fetus is <34 weeks with no signs of distress?
- Bed rest
- possible admin of tocolytic to reduce uterine activity
- Corticosteriods to accelerate fetal lung maturity
- Rho(D) immune glbulin admin to rh - moms
What is our managment of abruptio placentae if there is maternal or fetal compromise/deterioration in status?
1.Immediate delivery
2.NICU team at delivery
What is disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
DIC is also called cosumptive coagulopathy this is a life-threatening defect in coagulation that can occur with several complications of pregnancy.
1. Anticoagulation occurs, and concurrently inappropriate coagulation takes place in micro-circulation
- Formation of tiny clots in tiny blood vessels that block blood flow to organs causing ischemia
- excessive bleeding
What diseases cause DIC?
- Placental abruption or prolonged retnantion of dead fetus
- Conditions characterised by endothelial damage- severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome
- nonspecific effects of some diseases- maternal sepsis or amniotic fluid embolism.
What is anemia?
A decrease in the o2 carrying capcity of the blood
1. Related to iron deficiency and reduced dietary intake
Anemia is associated with what in pregnancy?
- Increased miscarriage
- preterm labor
- preeclampsia
- infection
- PPH
- IUGR
What should we know about Iron-deficiency anemia?
- Total iron requirement for single fetus pregnancy is 1000/day
what is our primary sources of iron in our diet?
- Meat
- fish
- chicken
- liver
- green leafy veggies
What are s/s of iron-deficiency anemia?
- pallor
- fatigue
- lethargy
- headache
- inflammation of lips and tongue
UTI if left untreated can result in?
Pyelonephritis
UTI in pregnancy increase the risk of?
- preterm labor
- premature delivery
Maternal complications of a UTI include?
- High fever
- flank pain
- septic shock
- ARDS
True or false: Pregnant women with UTIs often require hospitalizations?
True
What are 2 types of vaginal infections we might encourger in pregnancy and what might cause?
- Candidiasis- thrush may develope in newborns
- Bacterial vaginosis- PROM, preterm labor and birth, intraamniotic infection and postpartum endometritis, neonatal sepsis and death
What should we know about Rubella infections in pregnancy?
- Prevention is the only effective protection for the fetus; can result in fetal congential heart defects, IUGR, congenital cataracts, hearing or vision problems
What should we know about covid infections during pregnancy?
- Research is ongoing but preliminary studies show increased risk of preeclampsia, stillbirth and maternal death if infected in pregnancy
What should we know about hepatitis in pregnancy?
- Risk for prematurity, low birth weight and neonatal death
- If mother is hep b postive
- newborn recieves hep b immune globulin FOLLOWED by hep b vaccine
- Newborn should be carefully bathed before any injections
What should we know about cytomegalovirus?
No treatment for mother or infant
1. Still born, congenital CMV (this virus), microcephaly, IUGR, cerebral palsy, mental retardtion, rash, jaundice, heptosplenomegly
What should we know about the varicella-zoster virus in pregnancy?
- mom/infant-highly contagious, placed in airborne/contact isolation
- Only immune staff should come into contact with these patients
- Can include preterm labor, encephalitis and varicella penumonia
- Fetal effects depend on time of infection
- 13-20 weeks- limb hypoplasia, cutaneous scars, choriorentintis, cataracts, microcephaly, ad IUGR
- 5-2 days before birth-life threatening varicella infection congenital varicella syndrome
What should we know about the non-viral toxoplasmosis infections in pregnancy?
- Caused by a protozoan- raw undercooked meat, cat feces (litter boxes)
- Congenital toxoplasmosis, stillbirth, microcephaly, hydrocephalus, blindness, deafness
What should we know about group b streptococcus infection?
- Leading cause of life-threatening perinatal infections
- women will have vaginal and rectal cultures between 35-37 weeks
- If postive, the patient will recieve penicillin, cephazolin, clindamycin
- Two doses min. before delivery is desired
What are different types of STIs we might encounter in pregnant women?
- syphillis
- conorrhea
- chlamydia
- trichomoniasis
- HPV
- herpes
- HIV
What do we need to know about Chorioamnionitis in pregnancy?
- Infection of the amnion/chorion or amniotic fluid
- maternal fever-fetal tachycardia- baseline >160 for atleast 10 mins
- Maternal WBC count greater than 15000 (without corticosteriods)
- Purulent fluid emanating from the cerical os
What are our interventions for chorioamnionitis?
- wash hands before/after contact with patients; temp q2 after ROM- hourly for fever
- Keep under pads dry and limit vaginal exams- maintain aseptic technique
- Inform newbor staff if signs of infection are noted
- Antibiotic therapy initated before or after birth when infection is indentified
- Assess maternal pulse, respirations, and B/P hourly if fever present
What is PROM?
Prematrue rupture of membranes before the onset of tru labor regarless of festational age
What is PPROM?
Preterm premature rupture of membranes rupture of membranes before 37 weeks gestation
1. Associated with preterm labor and birth
2. The greatest risk to newborn is birth before 32-34 weeks
3. Infection risk increases if not delived within 24 hours of rupture
What conditions are associated with PPROM?
- infection of the vagina or cervix
- weak structure of the amniotic sac
- Previous preterm birth, especially if preceded by PPROM
- Fetal abnormalities or malpresentation
- Incompetent or short cervix
- Over distension of the uterus
- Maternal hormonal changes
- Maternal stress or low socioeconomic status
- Maternal nutritonal deficiencies and diabetes.
How is the managment of PROM decided?
Managment depends on gestational age
1. 1st- verify ruptured membranes
2. 2nd- if gestation is near term
- Labor does not begin spontaneously-induction of labor is initated
3. 3rd- if gestation is preterm- less than 36 weeks
- provider weights risks for maternal-fetal infection
- newborn’s risk for complication for prematurity
How do we therapeutically manage PROM?
- Short-term tocolytics to delay delivery and administer corticosteriods
- Consider- fetal age, lung maturity, amount of amniotic, and signs of fetal compromise
- No evidence of infection or fetal lung immaturity- admit and observed for infection or labor
- Daily non-stress tests are performed
- biophysical profiles
- Fetal lung maturity testing
- Maternal antibiotics- 7days course of antibiotics
What is our patient teaching for PROM?
Very important to verify patient understanding
1. Aboid sexual intercourse, orgasm or inserting anything into the vagina
2. Avoid breast stimulation with preterm gestation
3. Take temperature at least 4 times per day, reporting anything over >37.8c (100F)
4. Maintain activity restrictions
5. Note and report uterine contractions or a foul odor to vaginal drainage.
Patient hospitalized (in this region) until birth, some may be managed at home
What is preterm labor?
Labor that begins after 20th gestational week but before the 37th weeks
Infants born not equipped for extrauterine life are at risk for of developing what complications?
- Cerebral palsy, develppmental delays, vision and or hearing impairments
- significant emotional and financial burdens for the families.
True or false: They are racial disparity that exists in preterm birth rates?
True- african americans are at highest risk