Obstetric Nurse High-Risk Pregnancy Management Flashcards

Preeclampsia is defined as new-onset hypertension after 20 weeks gestation accompanied by:

Answer: Proteinuria OR severe features such as thrombocytopenia or renal insufficiency

Current ACOG criteria define preeclampsia as BP ≥140/90 mmHg on two occasions plus proteinuria OR one or more severe features even without proteinuria.

HELLP syndrome is characterized by which triad of laboratory findings?

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

HELLP stands for Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelets — a severe variant of preeclampsia associated with high maternal and fetal morbidity.

The drug of choice for seizure prophylaxis in patients with preeclampsia with severe features is:

Answer: Magnesium sulfate

Magnesium sulfate is the standard of care for both prevention and treatment of eclamptic seizures in preeclampsia with severe features.

Which antidote must be immediately available at the bedside for any patient receiving intravenous magnesium sulfate?

Answer: Calcium gluconate

Calcium gluconate reverses magnesium toxicity; 1g IV over 3 minutes is administered when signs of toxicity (absent DTRs, respiratory depression) are present.

The only definitive treatment to cure preeclampsia is:

Answer: Delivery of the fetus and placenta

Since preeclampsia is caused by placental factors, delivery of the fetus and placenta is the only cure; other treatments are supportive and temporizing.

Chronic hypertension in pregnancy is defined as hypertension diagnosed at which time point?

Answer: Before 20 weeks gestation or pre-existing prior to pregnancy

Chronic hypertension is pre-existing hypertension or hypertension first identified before 20 weeks gestation, distinguishing it from gestational hypertension and preeclampsia.