Show:
Gestational Hypertension & Antihypertensive Medications
Severe Preeclampsia
HELLP Syndrome
Magnesium Sulfate
100

Gestational hypertension begins after which week of pregnancy?

The 20th week

100

Blood pressures must be equal or greater than what to be classified as severe preeclampsia?

160/100 mm Hg

100

What condition does HELLP syndrome often occur with?

Severe preeclampsia

100

What is the antidote for magnesium toxicity?

Calcium gluconate or calcium chloride

200

During the postpartum period blood pressure returns to baseline by?

12 weeks postpartum

200

What lab values are elevated in severe preeclampsia?

Proteinuria greater than 3+ & blood creatinine greater than 1.1 mg/dL

200

What does the different aspects of HELLP stand for?

H: Hemolysis EL: Elevated liver enzymes LP: Low platelets

200

How does magnesium sulfate prevent seizure activity in patients with preeclampsia?

Depresses the CNS

300

How is gestational hypertension diagnosed?

A blood pressure at 140/90 mm Hg or greater taken on two different occasions, at least 4 hr apart

300

What are common assessment findings in severe preeclampsia?

Headache, blurred vision, oliguria, shortness of breath, vomiting, edema, epigastric and RUQ pain
300

What liver enzymes are elevated in HELLP syndrome?

AST, ALT, & lactic dehydrogenase (LDH)

300
What are signs and symptoms of magnesium toxicity?

Absent reflexes, respiratory rate less than 12, urinary output less than 30 mL/hr, altered consciousness, & cardiac dysrhythmias

400

What antihypertensive medications are safe to administer to pregnant women?

Methyldopa, nifedipine, hydralazine, labetalol

400

What are risk factors for developing severe preeclampsia?

Chronic hypertension, first pregnancy, obesity, multifetal gestation, & family history of preeclampsia
400

What are some nursing interventions/considerations for patients with HELLP syndrome?

Seizure precautions, fall precautions, low stim environments

400

Patients with a magnesium sulfate bolus may experience what kind of symptoms?

Heat, flushing, diaphoresis, sedation, and burning at the IV site

500

What antihypertensive medications are contraindicated for use in pregnancy? 

ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers

500

What are you looking for when you check clonus and why do we check for clonus?

Beats of clonus following dorsiflexion of the ankle and it reflects neuromuscular irritability

500

What are some complications that can result from platelets less than 100,000?

Thrombocytopenia, increased risk of bleeding, prolonged clotting time, & DIC

500

What is considered a therapeutic magnesium level for treating severe preeclampsia?

3.5-7 mg/dL