Nursing Care of Women with Complications During
Pregnancy
Urinary tract infections
More common during pregnancy due to compression and dilation of the ureters resulting in urine stasis.
Preterm labor
More likely to occur if a woman has pyelonephritis.
Substance exposure
Drugs and alcohol consumed by the mother can cross the placenta and adversely affect the developing
fetus.
Adverse environmental factors
Effects of adverse environmental factors on the maternal-infant patient must be recognized by the
nurse.
Hyperemesis gravidarum
Persistent nausea and vomiting of pregnancy that interferes with nutrition and fluid balance.
Early spontaneous abortion
Most common reason is abnormality of the developing fetus or the placenta.
, Tubal rupture
Observation for shock is necessary if a woman has a tubal rupture from an ectopic pregnancy.
Minimal vaginal blood loss
In the case of a tubal rupture, vaginal blood loss may be minimal, even though intraabdominal blood
loss can be massive.
Gestational trophoblastic disease
Follow-up medical care for 1 year is necessary to detect the possible development of choriocarcinoma.
Placenta previa
Abnormal implantation of the placenta in the lower part of the uterus.
Abruptio placentae
Premature separation of the placenta that is normally implanted.
Preeclampsia
Three main manifestations are hypertension, edema, and proteinuria.
Low-dose aspirin
Patients at risk for preeclampsia should be given low-dose aspirin after the first trimester.
Pregnancy
Urinary tract infections
More common during pregnancy due to compression and dilation of the ureters resulting in urine stasis.
Preterm labor
More likely to occur if a woman has pyelonephritis.
Substance exposure
Drugs and alcohol consumed by the mother can cross the placenta and adversely affect the developing
fetus.
Adverse environmental factors
Effects of adverse environmental factors on the maternal-infant patient must be recognized by the
nurse.
Hyperemesis gravidarum
Persistent nausea and vomiting of pregnancy that interferes with nutrition and fluid balance.
Early spontaneous abortion
Most common reason is abnormality of the developing fetus or the placenta.
, Tubal rupture
Observation for shock is necessary if a woman has a tubal rupture from an ectopic pregnancy.
Minimal vaginal blood loss
In the case of a tubal rupture, vaginal blood loss may be minimal, even though intraabdominal blood
loss can be massive.
Gestational trophoblastic disease
Follow-up medical care for 1 year is necessary to detect the possible development of choriocarcinoma.
Placenta previa
Abnormal implantation of the placenta in the lower part of the uterus.
Abruptio placentae
Premature separation of the placenta that is normally implanted.
Preeclampsia
Three main manifestations are hypertension, edema, and proteinuria.
Low-dose aspirin
Patients at risk for preeclampsia should be given low-dose aspirin after the first trimester.
