How do you assess a pregnant patient?
doi: 10.1016/j.anclin.2015.10.016. Show
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Always begin with Rapid assessment and management (RAM) B3-B7. If the woman has no emergency or priority signs and has come for antenatal care, use this section for further care. Next use the Pregnancy status and birth plan chart C2 to ask the woman about her present pregnancy status, history of previous pregancies, and check her for general danger signs. Decide on an appropriate place of birth for the woman using this chart and prepare the birth and emergency plan. The birth plan should be reviewed during every follow-up visit. Check all women for pre-eclampsia, anaemia, syphilis and HIV status according to the charts C3-C6. In cases where an abnormal sign is identified (volunteered or observed), use the charts Respond to observed signs or volunteered problems C7-C11 to classify the condition and identify appropriate treatment(s). Give preventive measures due C12. Develop a birth and emergency plan C14-C15. Advise and counsel on nutrition C13, family planning C16, labour signs, danger signs C15, routine and follow-up visits C17 using Information and Counselling sheets M1-M19. Record all positive findings, birth plan, treatments given and the next scheduled visit in the home-based maternal card/clinic recording form. Assess eligibility of ART for HIV-infected woman C19. If the woman is HIV infected, adolescent or has special needs, see G1-G11 H1-H4. C2. ASSESS THE PREGNANT WOMAN: PREGNANCY STATUS, BIRTH AND EMERGENCY PLANUse this chart to assess the pregnant woman at each of the four antenatal care visits. During first antenatal visit, prepare a birth and emergency plan using this chart and review them during following visits. Modify the birth plan if any complications arise. View in own window ASK, CHECK RECORDLOOK, LISTEN, FEELINDICATIONSPLACE OF DELIVERYADVISEALL VISITS
Are you exposed to other people's tobacco smoke at home? →HIV status and ARV treatment.
HEALTH CARE LEVEL
C3. CHECK FOR PRE-ECLAMPSIAScreen all pregnant women at every visit. View in own window ASK, CHECK RECORDLOOK, LISTEN, FEELSIGNSCLASSIFYTREAT AND ADVISE
C4. CHECK FOR ANAEMIAScreen all pregnant women at every visit. View in own window ASK, CHECK RECORDLOOK, LISTEN, FEELSIGNSCLASSIFYTREAT AND ADVISE
C5. CHECK FOR SYPHILISTest all pregnant women at first visit. Check status at every visit. View in own window ASK, CHECK RECORDLOOK, LISTEN, FEELSIGNSCLASSIFYTREAT AND ADVISE
C6. CHECK FOR HIV STATUSTest and counsel all pregnant women for HIV at the first antenatal visit. Check status at every visit. View in own window ASK, CHECK RECORDLOOK, LISTEN, FEELSIGNSCLASSIFYTREAT AND ADVISEProvide key information on HIV G2.
If no problem, go to page C12. C7-C11. RESPOND TO OBSERVED SIGNS OR VOLUNTEERED PROBLEMSView in own window ASK, CHECK RECORDLOOK, LISTEN, FEELSIGNSCLASSIFYTREAT AND ADVISEIF NO FETAL MOVEMENT
View in own window ASK, CHECK RECORDLOOK, LISTEN, FEELSIGNSCLASSIFYTREAT AND ADVISEIF FEVER OR BURNING ON URINATION
View in own window ASK, CHECK RECORDLOOK, LISTEN, FEELSIGNSCLASSIFYTREAT AND ADVISEIF VAGINAL DISCHARGE
Schedule follow-up appointment for woman and partner (if possible).
View in own window ASK, CHECK RECORDLOOK, LISTEN, FEELSIGNSCLASSIFYTREAT AND ADVISEIF SIGNS SUGGESTING SEVERE OR ADVANCED HIV INFECTION(HIV status unknown and refused HIV testing)
View in own window ASK, CHECK RECORDLOOK, LISTEN, FEELSIGNSCLASSIFYTREAT AND ADVISEIF COUGH OR BREATHING DIFFICULTY
RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION
C12. GIVE PREVENTIVE MEASURESAdvise and counsel all pregnant women at every antenatal care visit. View in own window ASK, CHECK RECORDTREAT AND ADVISE
C13. ADVISE AND COUNSEL ON NUTRITION AND SELF-CARE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSEUse the information and counselling sheet to support your interaction with the woman, her partner and family. Counsel on nutrition
Advise on self-care during pregnancyAdvise the woman to:
Counsel on Substance Abuse:
Counsel on alcohol use:
Counsel on drug use:
C14-C15. DEVELOP A BIRTH AND EMERGENCY PLANUse the information and counselling sheet to support your interaction with the woman, her partner and family. Facility deliveryExplain why birth in a facility is recommended
Advise how to prepare Review the arrangements for delivery:
Advise when to go
Advise what to bring
Home delivery with a skilled attendantAdvise how to prepare
Explain supplies needed for home delivery
Advise on labour signsAdvise to go to the facility or contact the skilled birth attendant if any of the following signs:
Advise on danger signsAdvise to go to the hospital/health centre immediately, day or night, WITHOUT waiting if any of the following signs:
Discuss how to prepare for an emergency in pregnancy
C16. ADVISE AND COUNSEL ON FAMILY PLANNINGCounsel on the importance of family planning
Method options for the non-breastfeeding womanView in own window Can be used immediately postpartumCondoms Special considerations for family planning counselling during pregnancyCounselling should be given during the third trimester of pregnancy.
Method options for the breastfeeding womanView in own window Can be used immediately postpartumLactational amenorrhoea method (LAM) C17. ADVISE ON ROUTINE AND FOLLOW-UP VISITSEncourage the woman to bring her partner or family member to at least 1 visit. Routine antenatal care visitsView in own window 1st visitBefore 4 monthsBefore 16 weeks2nd visit6 months24-28 weeks3rd visit8 months30-32 weeks4th visit9 months36-38 weeks
Follow-up visitsView in own window If the problem was:Return in:Hypertension1 week if >8 months pregnantSevere anaemia2 weeksHIV-infection2 weeks after HIV testing C18. HOME DELIVERY WITHOUT A SKILLED ATTENDANTReinforce the importance of delivery with a skilled birth attendant Instruct mother and family on clean and safer delivery at homeIf the woman has chosen to deliver at home without a skilled attendant, review these simple instructions with the woman and family members.
Tell her/them:
Advise to avoid harmful practicesFor example: not to use local medications to hasten labour. not to wait for waters to stop before going to health facility. NOT to insert any substances into the vagina during labour or after delivery. NOT to push on the abdomen during labour or delivery. NOT to pull on the cord to deliver the placenta. NOT to put ashes, cow dung or other substance on umbilical cord/stump. Encourage helpful traditional practices: Advise on danger signsIf the mother or baby has any of these signs, she/they must go to the health centre immediately, day or night, WITHOUT waiting What should be assessed for a pregnant woman?Obstetric examination focuses on uterine size, fundal height (in cm above the symphysis pubis), fetal heart rate and activity, and maternal diet, weight gain, and overall well-being. Speculum and bimanual examination is usually not needed unless vaginal discharge or bleeding, leakage of fluid, or pain is present.
What should you as a nurse assess during a pregnant woman's first prenatal visit?Assess her gastrointestinal system; ask about her pre-pregnancy weight, any discomforts such as vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, hemorrhoids, and changes in bowel habits. Assess her genitourinary system and ask about any urinary tract infections, STIs, PIDs, any difficulties in conceiving, and hematuria.
Which examination can be performed on a pregnant patient?First trimester screening is a combination of fetal ultrasound and maternal blood testing. This screening process can help determine the risk of the fetus having certain birth defects. Second trimester prenatal screening may include several blood tests called multiple markers.
What are the important steps in assessing a pregnant woman in her second trimester?Your health care provider will check your blood pressure and weight at every visit. Share any concerns you have. Then it's time for your baby to take center stage.. Track your baby's growth. ... . Listen to your baby's heartbeat. ... . Assess fetal movement.. |