Dear Nurses

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.

ADDRESSING ABRUPTIO PLACENTA

Updated 5/24

Dear nurses,

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.

Nursing responsibilities for the newborn

Immediately following birth, armbands are placed

on both mother and baby. A physical assessment is
done and the baby's vital signs, birth weight, head,
and chest circumferences are all documented.

Reflexes in the newborn

The palmar reflex is what causes the neonate to grasp

with the fingers, when the palm of the hand is stroked.

Rooting and sucking reflexes are present at birth.
They cause the neonate to suck.

Additional newborn facts:
- A newborn's heart rate averages between 120-160 beats per minute.
- A newborn's respirations average between 35-60 breaths per minute.
- It is important to note that a newborn's neck is short and the neck
muscles are weak. The nurse should be aware of supporting this area
carefully.

The Clinical setting Step by Step is no longer available.
Learn more, by clicking on the links below:

Fetal heart monitoring

Hyperemesis gravidarum

PROM

IDENTIFYING ABRUPTIO PLACENTA AND THE CARE PLAN

Updated 3/25

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.

The care plan for each patient , is a reflection of the

information provided about the history and MD's

diagnosis.

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

IV assessment and quiz

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Blood transfusion

MATERNAL NURSING -ESTROGEN AND PROGESTERONE

Estrogen and Progesterone are two hormones produced
by the ovaries initially, then the placenta in the latter part
of pregnancy. They are first produced by the ovaries and
later the placenta. Estrogen and Progesterone also keep
the placenta healthy and enhances lactation.

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.

Learn more about : Magnesium infusion

Scenario: Pam has been admitted to the hospital
with complaints of abdominal pain over a period
of time. The doctor has decided to do an ERCP
( Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography)
for this questionable abdominal pain.

This will be reflected in the care plan.

Learn more about : Triage Nurse

It is important to recognize the importance
of being a safe nurse. Linda's story continues :

Here

SIMPLIFYING MATERNAL NURSING

Updated 12/24 Dearnurses.net is no longer available.

Dear nurses,

Scenario: Megan is 12 weeks pregnant.
She has been vomiting once or twice
daily and is beginning to feel weak
and tired. Learn more by clicking on the link:

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Estrogen and Progesterone are two hormones
produced by the ovaries initially, then the placenta
in the latter part of pregnancy.

They are first produced by the ovaries and later
the placenta. Estrogen and Progesterone also
keep the placenta healthy and enhance lactation.

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.

In the image above, a 32 year old female is
pregnant for the first time. She is preeclamptic
and is receiving Magnesium via IV infusion.

She is lethargic and hard to arouse.

Learn more about : Magnesium infusion

ADDRESSING FEBRILE SEIZURES

Updated 7/26

Dear nurses,

Dearnurses.net is no longer available.

New information and links have been

added below.

Seizures and safety