Emergency Obstetric Complications Flashcards

HELLP syndrome is characterized by which diagnostic triad?

Answer: Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count

HELLP syndrome is defined by Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelets, representing a severe variant of preeclampsia with significant maternal and fetal morbidity.

The Zavanelli maneuver for shoulder dystocia involves:

Answer: Cephalic replacement into the vagina followed by emergency cesarean section

The Zavanelli maneuver involves returning the fetal head to its pre-restitution position and replacing it back into the vagina, followed by immediate emergency cesarean section, and is used only as a last resort.

A client experiences sudden severe dyspnea, cardiovascular collapse, and coagulopathy immediately after delivery of a healthy infant. The MOST likely diagnosis is:

Answer: Amniotic fluid embolism

Sudden cardiovascular collapse with respiratory distress and coagulopathy at the time of delivery or immediately postpartum is the classic presentation of amniotic fluid embolism, a rare but catastrophic obstetric emergency.

Bimanual uterine compression is performed to:

Answer: Mechanically compress the uterus between an internal vaginal hand and an external abdominal hand to control hemorrhage

Bimanual compression controls postpartum hemorrhage from uterine atony by mechanically compressing the uterine body between one fist placed in the anterior vaginal fornix and one hand on the abdomen.

A laboring client at 41 weeks develops persistent fetal bradycardia with a heart rate of 88 bpm for 7 minutes that does not resolve with maternal position change. The MOST appropriate action is:

Answer: Change position, administer oxygen, establish IV access, and initiate emergency transport

Persistent fetal bradycardia below 110 bpm for more than 2 minutes that is unresponsive to position change indicates significant fetal compromise requiring immediate preparation for emergency transport.

The antidote for magnesium sulfate toxicity is:

Answer: Calcium gluconate 10 mL of 10% solution IV

Calcium gluconate reverses magnesium toxicity by competitively blocking magnesium's effects at the neuromuscular junction, and should be kept at bedside whenever magnesium sulfate is administered.

A third-degree perineal laceration is defined as one that extends through the:

Answer: External anal sphincter complex

A third-degree laceration involves disruption of the external anal sphincter complex and requires careful layered repair to prevent long-term fecal incontinence.