NURS 370 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Hydralazine, Large For Gestational Age, Nifedipine
Document Summary
Week 3: obstetrics high risk antenatal care. Occurrence puts women and fetus at risk: htn, hyperemesis gravidarum, hemorrhagic complication, diabetes, abuse etc. Increase in plasma vol (water retention state), vasodilation, decreased vascular resistance, elevated co. Physical assessment findings: diluted anemia, lower bp, increase hr, peripheral edema (normal during 3 rd trimester and end of day) Occurs after 20 weeks and in most cases resolves < 42 days postpartum. Etiology: signs and symptoms develop only during pregnancy and disappear after birth. Associated risks: primigravidity, multifetal pregnancy, obesity, before age 20 or after age 40. Main pathogenic factor is not increase in bp, but poor perfusion from vasospasm. Arteriolar vasospasm diminishes diameter of blood vessels, which impede bf to all organs and increase bp. Function of placenta, kidneys, liver, and brain depressed as much as 40-60% (body wants to protect heart and brain) Hypertension is the most common medical pregnancy complication. Ranks 2nd to embolic as a cause for maternal mortality.
