Maternity Nursing Hesi StudyGuide

Maternity Nursing – HESI Hints Anatomy and Physiology of Reproduction  The menstrual phase varies in length in most women  Between ovulation and the beginning of the next menstrual cycle, there are usually exactly 14 days. In other words, ovulations occurs 14 days before the next menstrual period  Sperm live approximately 3 days (48 to 72 hours), and eggs live about 24 hours. A couple must avoid unprotected intercourse for several days before the anticipated ovulation and for 3 days after ovulation to prevent pregnancy Antepartum Nursing Care  Look for signs of maternal-fetal bonding during pregnancy; for example, talking to fetus in utero, massaging abdomen, and nicknaming fetus are all healthy psychosocial activities  For many women, battering (emotional or physical abuse) begins during pregnancy. Women should be assessed for abuse in private, away from the male partner, by a nurse who is familiar with local resources and knows how to determine the safety of the client.  Practice determining gravidity and parity. A woman who is 6 weeks pregnant has the following maternal history: She has a healthy 2-year old daughter; She has had a miscarriage at 10 weeks; She had an elective abortion at 6 weeks, 5 years earlier; With this pregnancy, she is a gravida 4, para 1 (only one delivery after 20 weeks’ gestation. GTPAL is 4-1-0-2-1.  Practice calculating EDB. If the first day of a woman’s last normal menstrual period was October 17, what is her EDB, using the Nagle Rule? July 24. Count back 3 months and add 7 days (always give February 28 days.)  At approximately 28 to 32 weeks’ gestation, the maximum placenta volume increase of 25% to 40% occurs, resulting in normal hemodilution of pregnancy and Hct values of 32% to 42%. High Hct values may look good, but in reality they represent pregnancyinduced HTN and a depleted vascular space