Medical-surgical Nursing Demystified

(^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
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

NURSING DIAGNOSES

• Safety