Dear Nurses: May 2010

ADDRESSING FETAL DISTRESS / ABRUPTIO PLACENTA

Dearnurses.net is no longer available.

Updated 1/25

Dear nurses,

Prolapse of the umbilical cord during pregnancy
may be a complication of breech birth. In breech
presentation, the fetus faces the opposite direction.

Fetal distress may have many causes, these include:
- prolapse of the umbilical cord

- meconium in the amniotic fluid
- abruptio placenta

- IV Pitocin used to induce labor

Cesarean section may be necessary to avoid distress
of the baby.

The image above shows, Mrs.S who is about six months pregnant.
She is relaxing at home. Suddenly, she starts to have abdominal

and back pain. She is also beginning to experience bleeding.

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 the placenta suddenly 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.

Abruptio placenta requires emergency care. Placental separation
occurs. C-section is usually done.

RECOGNIZING CHILDBIRTH AND MATERNAL NURSING

Updated 3/26

Dear nurses,

Fetal heart monitoring is done during labor.
The nurse monitors and assesses the mother
and baby during labor.

The fetal monitor is a valuable tool for collecting
information about fetal distress.See above.

Lanugo - fine hair which covers the neonate's
body at birth.

Dearnurses.net is no longer available.

Above is a sample of the Apgar score.

The Apgar score is an assessment done at 1 minute
and 5 minutes after the birth of the newborn.

Learn more about: The role of hormones

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.

The care plan for each patient, is a reflection
of the information provided about the history
and MD's diagnosis. Learn more: Care plan

IDENTIFYING THE APGAR SCORE AND HORMONES

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Updated 2/25

Dear nurses,

The Apgar score is an assessment done at 1 minute
and 5 minutes after the birth of the newborn.

The anterior part of the pituitary gland, is responsible for
the production of a number of hormones. These include:
- Prolactin, which is responsible for breast milk production.

Click on the link for more information:

Hormones

WHAT IF YOU WERE NEW TO ICU?

Updated 6/25

Dear nurses,

New topics have been added below.

You can also watch the video:
New to ICU

Learn more about : Poor circulation

Learn more about : Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Learn more : The Nursing Process

A pneumothorax may occur as a result of a rib fracture.
The punctured lung, collapses.

Scenario: A patient was involved in a car accident.

Trauma to the chest area, has resulted in a pneumothorax.
He was also having difficulty breathing, so the medical team
initiated CPR and placed an ETT ( endotracheal tube).
Learn more about: Pneumothorax

CARE PLANNING AND NURSING DIAGNOSIS

Updated 6/25 Dearnurses.com is no longer available.

Dear nurses,

New images and links have been added below.

Most people who anticipate taking a long plane
flight, may hardly stop to think about dehydration
and its consequences.

Learn more about : DVT and Diagnostic tests

Learn more about: The Nursing Process

Clinical scenarios are a normal part of nursing.
Above there are five clinical scenarios unfolding.

Scenario 1- A patient who is admitted to a healthcare
facility and will need teaching. Click on the link:

ER experience for the layperson

Scenario 2- The patient on mechanical ventilation
and the nurse is unsure what to do.

Click on the link:

The patient on mechanical ventilation

Scenario 3 -A patient has arrived in the Emergency
Room, both the doctor and nurse are at the bedside
to do an assessment.
Learn more by clicking on the link:

An ER experience

Scenario 4 - A nurse does an assessment.
IV assessment

Scenario 5 - A nurse tries to encourage a patient to do
breathing exercises.

Care planning