(^528) Medical-Surgical Nursing Demystified
- Abdominal pain
- Diminished urine output
- Excessive vomiting and nausea
- Eclampsia:
- As above
- Seizures
INTERPRETING TEST RESULTS
- Chemistry panel to assess hydration status as well as kidney and liver function.
- CBC to asses anemia and platelet count.
- Urinalysis to look for protein and creatinine in the urine.
- Fetal ultrasound.
TREATMENT
Birth of the baby is the only cure for eclampsia and preeclampsia. Mild preeclamp-
sia with mild hypertension and a small amount of protein in the urine can be man-
aged at home with rest and frequent health care provider checks, depending on the
status and gestational age of the baby. All other preeclampsia and eclampsia patients
are hospitalized.
- Bedrest.
- Low-salt diet.
- Medications:
- To control blood pressure:
- hydralazine
- labetolol
- methyldopa
- nifedipine
- To control seizures:
- magnesium sulfate
- To control blood pressure:
NURSING DIAGNOSES
- Safety