Maternity Care

Maternity Care Plan

Maternity Client  Summary

Background Information

Client has a history severe preeclampsia, and preeclampsia, vaginal delivery at 23 weeks 3 years prior, family history of hypertension, heart disease, and ovarian cancer. She vaginally delivered at 35 weeks on 06/24/2011. She also had prenatal care and visits during both pregnancies.

Client's Initials: MJ

Room #307

Date of Admission: 06/23/2011

Diagnosis: Severe preeclampsia, Intrauterine Pregnancy 

IUP at how many weeks: 35

EDC: July 30, 2011

Days postpartum: day one postpartum 

Associated medical diagnosis: Severe Preeclampsia 

Definition: “Characterized by increasing hypertension, proteinuria, and edema. The condition may progress rapidly from mild to severe and, if untreated, to eclampsia. Leading cause of fetal and maternal morbidity and death.” (Venes, 2009, p. 1869).

Etiology: Preeclampsia used to be called toxemia because it was thought to be caused by a toxin in a pregnant woman's bloodstream. This theory has been discarded, but researchers have yet to determine what causes preeclampsia. Possible causes may include: insufficient blood flow to the uterus, damage to the blood vessels, a problem with the immune system, and a poor diet. (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2011).

Pathophysiology:

Preeclampsia, caused by high blood pressure during the latter part of pregnancy, is characterized by hypertension, protein in the urine, edema, and organ damage as a result of hypertension. Such organ damage may include seizure, stroke, kidney failure, liver damage, and fluid in the lungs. Preeclampsia is treated by effecting prompt delivery (and thereby ridding the body of the circulating toxin released by the placenta). Magnesium is commonly used to prevent seizure. Complications of severe preeclampsia can often be prevented with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2011).

Allergies: Sulfa, PCN...