UWise - Objectives 25-29 Flashcards
What methods can be used to confirm rupture of membranes?
- Testing VAGINAL (not cervical) fluid for ferning (false positive with cervical mucus)
- Nitrazine testing
Why should a digital exam be avoided in a patient with suspected PROM?
Risk of introducing bacteria into the uterine cavity and increasing risk for chorioamnionitis
When is tocolysis in the setting of PPROM appropriate?
In an attempt to prolong the interval to delivery to gain time for steroids to obtain maximum benefit for the fetus, although this does not guarantee fetal lung maturity
When do the risks of chorioamnionitis with continuing tocolytics outweigh the benefit of awaiting lung maturity?
Beyond 48 hours
What causes variable decelerations?
Umbilical cord compression as a result of cord wrapped around fetal parts, fetal anomalies, or oligohydramnios (low AFI)
What is a frequent cause of cord compression in the setting of PPROM?
Lack of amniotic fluid
What is indicated in patients with PPROM to prolong the latency period by 5-7 days and reduce the incidence of maternal chorioamnionitis and neonatal sepsis?
Antibiotic therapy with ampicillin and erythromycin
What antibiotics are indicated chorioamnionitis is suspected?
Clindamycin and gentamicin
Most authors agree that the achievement of ___ is the threshold at which the risk of morbidity and mortality of maintaining the pregnancy in utero outweighs the benefits of prolonging the pregnancy. How is this measured?
Fetal lung maturity; positive phosphatidylglycerol or 34 weeks gestational age
___ is seen when ROM occurs before 24 weeks gestation - why?
Pulmonary hypoplasia; the lack of amniotic fluid interferes with the normal intrauterine lung development and breathing process
Pulmonary hypoplasia occurs in ___% of cases of PPROM.
10-20
Neonatal survival with rupture of membranes between 20 and 23 weeks is approximately ___%.
25
___ has been shown to reduce the risk of premature labor from all causes including PPROM. How is it administered?
17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone; weekly starting between 16-20 weeks until 36 weeks
PROM occurs in approximately ___% of all pregnancies. PPROM between 16-26 weeks is identified in ___% of all pregnancies.
10-25; 1
What is the reported recurrence rate for PPROM when it occurred in the index pregnancy?
32%
In general, delivery is recommended at ___ weeks for women with PPROM.
34
What can cause a false positive nitrazine test?
When semen or blood are present
Abruptio placentae is present in ___% of patients with PPROM.
2-5
What indicates a placental abruption?
Repetitive frequent painful contractions with vaginal bleeding, rapid progression of labor, clot on placenta
How is placental abruption managed in various settings?
- Reassuring fetal and maternal status - expectant
2. Maternal or fetal indications - C-section
What can be used to determine if contractions are adequate?
Intrauterine pressure catheter (IUPC)
Why are prostaglandins contraindicated in patients with a history of previous C-section?
Increased risk of uterine rupture
Prolonged periods of fetal tachycardia are frequently found with ___ and ___.
Maternal fever; chorioamnionitis
True or false - a biophysical profile is not of any value during labor.
True
What FHR tracing is an indication for amnioinfusion?
Repetitive variable decelerations; NOT for recurrent late decelerations
How do variable decelerations appear?
Acute fall in the FHR, with a rapid down slope and a variable recovery phase; they are characteristically variable in duration, intensity, and timing, and may not bear a constant relationship to uterine contractions
What causes early decelerations?
Fetal head compression during uterine contraction, resulting in vagal stimulation and slowing of the heart rate
How do early decelerations appear?
Uniform shape with a slow onset that coincides with the start of the contraction and a slow return to the baseline that coincides with the end of the contraction; characteristic mirror image of the contraction
How does a late deceleration appear?
Symmetric fall in the FHR, beginning at or after the peak of the uterine contraction and returning to baseline only after the contraction has ended
What causes late decelerations?
Uteroplacental insufficiency
How does a true sinusoidal FHR pattern appear?
Regular, smooth, undulating form typical of a sine wave that occurs with a frequency of 2-5 cycles/minute and an amplitude range of 5-15 bpm. It is also characterized by a stable baseline HR of 120-160 bpm and absent beat-to-beat variability
List initial measures to evaluate and treat fetal hypoperfusion.
- Change maternal position to left lateral position, which increases perfusion to the uterus
- Maternal supplemental oxygenation
- Treatment of maternal hypotension
- Discontinuation of oxytocin
- Intrauterine resuscitation with tocolytics and IV fluids
(These should be attempted before proceeding with C-section)
What is the goal of digital scalp stimulation of the fetus?
Elicit an acceleration of 15 bpm amplitude with duration of 15 seconds in order to confirm appropriate acid-base status
If there is a lack of acceleration on digital scalp stimulation, what should be done?
Fetal scalp pH
Vibroacoustic stimulation
Allis clamp test
Late decelerations when viewed as repetitive and/or with decreased variability are an ominous sign - what may this be associated with?
Decreased uterine perfusion or placental function, thus leading to fetal hypoxia and fetal acidemia
What are common causes of uteroplacental insufficiency?
Chronic HTN and postdate pregnancies
What is the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage?
Uterine atony