PROLAPSED CORD AND HOMAN'S SIGN

                                           Prolapsed cord

Prolapse of the umbilical cord during pregnancy may be a
complication of breech births.The fetus is in obvious danger
of suffocation from lack of oxygen.The mother should be placed
 in a knee-chest position and hips and legs elevated on a pillow.

Attempts to prevent cord compression by pushing the fetus back
in, may be done by trained personnel. Emergency C-section may
become necessary.

                                            Homan's sign

   Homan's sign- when dorsiflexion of the 
   foot is done by the examiner, the patient 
   will complain of calf pain, if there is a
   blood clot.

Updated 3/23 , there are many helpful
maternal topics throughout this blog.
In addition, you may also click on the links:

 Quizmenurse

Placenta previa

and enjoy learning.

PRETERM LABOR

Updated 5/2 

Dear nurses, 

Dear nurses.net is no longer available. For more updated information , please click on the 
link: Preterm labor

Preterm labor is a very common occorence in pregnancy.All its causes are not clearly understood. It may be triggered by events such as stress, trauma, infection or heavy lifting . Signs and symptoms include premature contractions, abdominal cramping, low back pain and vaginal bleeding . Patients should be encouraged to go to their doctor or ER if necessary. Close monitoring of the patient and medications such as Calcium channel blockers, antibiotic therapy to prevent infection, Magnesium sulfate and Prostaglandins are used in treating this condition.

SICKLING CRISIS

Updated 7/24

Sickle cell anemia is a form of anemia common to certain peoples in areas of the world, like Africa, Caribbean and Mediterranean.The red blood cells are not rounded, but have a sickle shape. Red blood cells carry oxygen and in sickle cell anemia, their ability is limited. In a crisis, the cells clump and occlude the veins, not arteries as these have high pressure.

Conditions such as anxiety , dehydration, infection or trauma may trigger a sickling crisis. Difficulty breathing and excruciating pain are symptoms of a crisis. Treatment is directed at giving oxygen, monitoring vital signs and correcting the cause. Magnesium Sulfate is also used to treat this condition.

SICKLING CRISIS

Updated 5/24

Dear nurses,

Dear nurses.net is no longer available. The links have been updated. Enjoy learning!

Sickle cell anemia is a form of anemia common to certain
peoples in areas of the world, or example Africa,Caribbean
and Mediterranean. The red blood cells are not rounded, 

but have a sickle shape. Red blood cells carry oxygen and
in sickle cell anemia, their ability is limited. In a crisis,
the cells clump and occlude the veins, not arteries as these

have high pressure.

Conditions such as anxiety , dehydration,  infection or
trauma may trigger a sickling crisis. Difficulty breathing
and excruciating pain are symptoms of a crisis.Treatment
is directed at giving oxygen, monitoring vital signs and
correcting the cause. Magnesium Sulfate is also used to
treat this condition.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation

 Updated 3/24

Dear nurses,

The information below has been updated. Just click on the new links ,
for more information:

Liver and renal failure quiz 

Sepsis an overview

Bydesign

DIC is a hemorrhagic syndrome. There is an obvious disturbance in the clotting mechanism in the blood. Platelets and fibrin have lost their ability to clot. Internal hemorrhage occurs and a serious continuation of bleeding throughout the body begins. The liver is also involved in clotting.

Treatment is directed at correcting the clotting factors involved. Blood transfusion may be necessary. Hemodynamic monitoring  is necessary. DIC is sometimes brought on secondary to other medical conditions eg.trauma, sepsis, abruptio placenta renal failure and more.

PRE-ECLAMPSIA / ECLAMPSIA

Updated 5/24

Scenario : Celeste is a 32 year old female, who is pregnant for the first time.
She is preeclamptic and is receiving a Magnesium Sulfate infusion. 

Her assessment shows she is hard to arouse.

Eclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy.It is known as toxemia of pregnancy.
The preeclamptic phase,  is characterized by severe headache , nausea, vomiting ,
high blood pressure and proteinuria. The pregnant woman may have seizures and
ultimately become comatose.

Measures to avoid preeclampsia will include Magnesium Sulfate infusions. The mother
should be closely monitored for signs and symptoms of central nervous system and
respiratory depression. Lethargy and a decrease in tendon reflexes may occur if too
much Magnesium is infused. ICU monitoring is usually necessary.

5/24 

**The Clinical Setting Step by Step is no longer available. The information above has been updated.

AN UPDATE WITH MORE HELPFUL INFORMATION CAN BE ACCESSED BY CLICKING ON THE LINK: THE CLINICAL SETTING STEP BY STEP, chapter3.

Also visit:
http://www.dearnurses.net/simplifying_maternal_nursing_part_2

PLACENTA PREVIA

7/23 Updated below

The placenta or afterbirth develops in the uterus during pregnancy. If the placenta
develops in the bottom of the uterus, it blocks the cervix ( neck of the uterus) and
will ultimately make vaginal delivery impossible.

Ultrasound will confirm this. The mother and baby are closely monitored and
possible C-section will be needed for delivery.

7/23

Please click on the links below, for more topics of interest.

IV assessment and quiz

Placenta previa

UTERINE RUPTURE

Updated 5 /24

Uterine rupture is caused by a tear in the wall of the uterus at the site of a previous C- section .
This is usually the case in up to ninety percent of tears. Complete rupture will cause:

- a tear through the entire uterine wall, resulting in heavy bleeding in the abdominal
cavity and vaginally

- signs and symptoms of shock

- abdominal pain and sometimes referred  chest pain.

Hypovolemic shock may result if there is significant blood loss.  

Updated 3/24

Please click on the links below for more updated information:

SESSIONS 69- Info on MRI and CT sscan

A trauma scene

Enjoy learning !

Abruptio placenta

The placenta is a very vascular organ that develops in the uterus of a woman during pregnancy. It is attached to the fetus by the umbilical cord and provides nourishment and oxygen to the growing fetus.When it suddeny becomes detached from the uterus either by trauma or unknown cause it is called placenta abruptio. Heavy vaginal bleeding , abdominal cramping and signs and symptoms of shock may be present.

*** Updated 7/23

For more updated topics, please click on the links below:

IV assessment and quiz

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

HEART WORK

Updated 7/23

The heart  is a small organ with a lot of  work to do.
It is the core of the circulatory system.

Learn more by clicking on the links below:
Chest pain assessment and also enjoy the video
Hemodynamic Monitoring

DEHYDRATION

Updated 7/23

Dear nurses,
I know it has been a while since my last update.Yes, it is summer and the weather has been extremely hot. Dehydration is a common problem of all age groups. Drink plenty of water. Remember , your body also needs minerals, so try to incorporate some fruit juices , fruits or mineral waters to replace electrolytes. 

Please click on the links below for more information.

What are electrolytes

Hydration vs. Dehydration

Bydesign
Enjoy learning!

God bless!