ANTEPARTUM
A patient at 32 weeks has a headache and vision changes. Which complication do you think of first?
Preeclampsia; assess BP, labs, and notify provider immediately.
Fetal heart rate shows early decelerations. What does that usually indicate?
HEAD COMPRESSION
Two hours postpartum, the patient complains of cramping while breastfeeding. Fundus is firm. How do you respond?
Cramping is normal due to uterine involution; reassure and teach comfort measures.
Q: How do you know a newborn is feeding effectively? Name two signs.
A: Swallowing sounds, audible sucking, wet diapers, content between feeds.
What are two classic signs of preeclampsia?
A: Hypertension and proteinuria; may include edema and headache.
A mom-to-be asks what GTPAL means. How do you explain it simply?
G = Gravida (# pregnancies), T = Term births, P = Preterm births, A = Abortions/miscarriages, L = Living children.
FHR shows late decelerations. What is your first nursing interventions?
Turn patient to left lateral position
Give O2
Increase IV fluids
Notify Provider
Indicates potential placenta insufficiency
What is screening scale for Postpartum Depression, and when should it be completed?
Edinburg Scale-24hrs after birth
What is the normal Heart and respirations for a newborn?
HR 110-160
RR 30-60
What’s the difference between placenta previa and placental abruption?
Previa: placenta covers cervix, painless bleeding.
Abruption: placenta separates prematurely, painful bleeding.
Why is folic acid recommended before and during pregnancy?
Prevents neural tube defect in the baby
A patient is in active labor and the FHR drops with contractions but returns to baseline quickly. How do you interpret this?
Variable Decelerations, often due to cord compression.
Reposition and monitor
Explain BUBBLE-HE without abbreviations.
A: Breast, uterus, bladder, bowel, lochia, episiotomy/laceration, hematologic (clots), extremities, emotional status.
What are the two medications given at birth, and why are they given?
Prevents vitamin K deficiency bleeding; newborns have low stores.
Erythromycin ointment
Mom asks why her baby sometimes grunts and flares nostrils. How do you respond?
A: Could indicate respiratory distress — observe closely and notify provider if persistent.
What is the indication for Rhogam?
RH negative mother with RH positive baby!
Given 28 weeks and 72hours after birth
A patient's membranes rupture, and amniotic fluid is greenish. What should nurse do first?
Assess FHR for signs of distress
Green fluid may indicate-meconium-neonatal complications
She notices bright red lochia on day 4. Normal or abnormal?
A: Normal lochia serosa should be pink/brown; bright red at day 4 may indicate hemorrhage — assess volume and fundus
What is APGAR, and why is it important?
A: Measures Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration at 1 and 5 minutes to assess newborn’s adaptation to extrauterine life.
You notice mild edema in a 36-week patient. When would you be concerned?
A: Sudden, severe, or facial/hand edema may indicate preeclampsia; assess BP, reflexes, urine protein.
A patient at 28 weeks asks why she feels dizzy when lying on her back. What’s the best explanation?
Supine hypotensive syndrome; lying on the back compresses the vena cava, causing dizziness. Encourage lying on the left side.
During Labor, a patient suddenly reports severe constant abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. What are you concerned for?
Placenta Abruption
Look for pain, bleeding, fetal distress--C-section
Q: A postpartum patient reports calf pain, swelling, and redness in one leg. What is your concern and first action?
A: Suspected DVT — do not massage, elevate leg, notify provider, prepare for diagnostic testing/anticoagulation.
Baby’s hands and feet are blue, body pink. Normal or concerning?
A: Normal (acrocyanosis) in the first 24–48 hours.
Guess one of your clinical instructor top 3 favorite colors or we stay until 7PM?
GOLD, ROYAL BLUE, CREAM/IVORY