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 Preeclampsia pathophysiology
 Common lab tests
 Preeclampsia dangers

Preeclampsia pathophysiology
Preeclampsia progresses along a continuum from mild to severe preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, or
eclampsia. There is no definitive cause of preeclampsia, but the pathophysiology is distinct.
 Preeclampsia develops after 20 weeks gestation in a previously normotensive woman.
 Elevated blood pressure is frequently the first sign of preeclampsia.
 The client also develops proteinuria.
 While no longer considered a diagnostic measurement of preeclampsia, generalized edema of
the face, hands, and abdomen that is not responsive to 12 hours of bedrest is often present
Common lab tests
Common lab tests done to diagnose pregnancy-induced hypertension
1. Blood test
2. Renal function
3. Creatinine
4. BUN
Preeclampsia dangers
The main pathogenic factor is poor perfusion as a result of arteriolar vasospasm. Function in organs
such as the placenta, liver, brain, and kidneys can be depressed as much as 40 to 60%. As fluid
shifts out of the intravascular compartment, a decrease in plasma volume and subsequent increase
in hematocrit is seen. The edema of preeclampsia is generalized. Virtually all organ systems are
affected by this disease, and the mother and fetus suffer increasing risk as the disease progresses.
Preeclampsia is associated with risks of placental abruption, acute renal failure, cerebrovascular
and cardiovascular complications, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and maternal death.
Initial History and Assessment
At 09:26 a.m. Jennie is brought to the Labor and Delivery triage area by her sister.
Jennie: I feel lousy. I’ve had this unbelievable headache for the past 2 days. I can’t seem to get rid of it
even with Tylenol. On top of that my hands and face are huge.
Sister: "I felt like that when I had toxemia during my pregnancy. She’s been dizzy sometimes, too."
Family history
Both the grandparents from the mother’s side died from old age. From the father’s side, the
grandmother died from hypertension and the father was died from pneumonia. The mother is not
experiencing any health problems but the father has hypertension and asthma. Jennie had not
experienced any health problems prior to the pregnancy.
Admission assessment by the nurse: Jennie is at 38 weeks gestation per early ultrasound. Today's weight
is 182 pounds with a pre-pregnancy weight of 145, T 99.1° F, P 76, R 24, BP 138/88, 4+ pitting edema,
and 3+ protein in the urine. Heart rate is regular, and lung sounds are clear. Deep tendon reflexes
(DTRs) are 3+ biceps and triceps and 4+ patellar with 1 beat of ankle clonus.
Jennie’s blood pressure was at 155/90 at 10a.m.; 163/100 at 11 a.m. While normal blood pressure is
below 120/80, blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called “pre-hypertension,” and a blood
pressure of 140/90 or above is considered high.
Jennie’s hypertension is probably related to:
a. preeclampsia
b. chronic hypertension
c. gestational hypertension
d. renal disease
A Feedback. Your conclusion that Jennie is in jeopardy of developing a hypertensive disorder was
based on which risk factors?
a. Weight, temperature, proteinuria, edema
b. Increased blood pressure, edema, proteinuria
c. Increased blood pressure, respiration, reflexes
Click CONTINUE to return to patient’s room.
B Feedback. Chronic hypertension in pregnancy is defined as a) hypertension that precedes pregnancy, b)
hypertension that occurs in pregnancy prior to 20 weeks of gestation, or c) hypertension that persists beyond
the sixth postpartum week.
Click CONTINUE to return to patient’s room.
C Feedback. Gestational hypertension is defined as hypertension induced by pregnancy beginning after 20
weeks of gestation and resolving by the sixth postpartum week. There would be no evidence of end-organ
manifestation such as proteinuria.
Click CONTINUE to return to patient’s room.
D Feedback. In renal disease, any rise in GFR depends on an elevation in glomerular pressure, which can
increase proteinuria and worsen the underlying disease. Hypertension becomes more severe during pregnancy
in most women with chronic renal disease, and proteinuria increases in approximately 20% of patients.
Click CONTINUE to return to patient’s room.
Pop-up question
What is the pathophysiology responsible for Jennie's complaint of a pounding headache and the
elevated DTRs?
a. XXXX
b. XXXX
c. XXXX
Correct answer turns greens and check mark over the letter. Incorrect answers turn red and X mark
over the letter. Question fades when gets correct answer.
What is the next step in treatment?
Apply Fetal Monitor (button option) time?
Results: baseline fetal heart rate of 125-130 beats per minute (bpm), absent variability, positive for
accelerations, no decelerations, and no contractions.
Perform vaginal exam (button option) time?
Results: cervix is 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced, with the fetal head at a -2 station.
Sister: I’m really worried about Jennie’s face and hands. I’ve never seen them so puffy. Can you
prescribe some of “those water pills” to help?
Which response by the nurse is correct?
a. XXXX
b. XXXX
c. XXXX
A Feedback:
B Feedback:
C Feedback:
Pull Down Menu (doctor’s orders)
At 1139 the nurse calls to report to the healthcare provider, who prescribes the following:
1. admit to labor and delivery
2. bed rest with bathroom privileges (BRP)
3. IV D5LR at 125 ml/hr, CBC with platelets
4. clotting studies
5. liver enzymes
6. chemistry panel
7. 24-hour urine collection for protein and uric acid
8. ice chips only by mouth
9. nonstress test
10. hourly vital signs
11. DTRs
While awaiting the lab results, which nursing intervention has the highest priority?
a. XXXX
b. XXXX
c. XXXX
Which technique is best for the nurse to use when evaluating Jennie's blood pressure while she is on
bed rest?
a. XXXX
b. XXXX
c. XXXX
The nurse performs a nonstress test to evaluate fetal well-being.
HELLP Syndrome
At 1400, physical assessment and labs reveal the following:
The client is still complaining of a headache but the epigastric pain has slightly decreased.
While resting in a left lateral position, the vital signs are BP 146/94, P 75, R 18.
Hyperreflexia continues with one beat of clonus.
The baseline fetal heart rate is 140 with average long-term variability and no decelerations. Since
completion of a reactive nonstress test, no further accelerations have occurred.
Lab results
hemoglobin - 13.1 g/dl, hematocrit - 40.5 g/dl, platelets - 120,000 mm3, aspartate aminotransferase
(AST) - slightly elevated, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) - normal for pregnancy, 0 burr cells on slide,
clotting studies normal for pregnancy.
The healthcare provider diagnoses Jennie with preeclampsia rather than HELLP syndrome, a variant of
severe preeclampsia.
Plan of Care: Magnesium Sulfate Administration
Prior to initiating the healthcare provider's prescription, the nurse must first obtain consent for vaginal
and cesarean birth, analgesia and anesthesia, and blood transfusion. The nurse is aware that pregnant
adolescents are considered emancipated minors. Therefore, Jennie can sign the consent forms herself.
The healthcare provider prescribes this plan of care for Jennie:
1. Obtain permits for vaginal birth, cesarean birth, analgesia/anesthesia, and blood transfusion.
2. Start on magnesium sulfate (4 gm bolus over 20 min, then 1 gm/hr per pump) per unit protocol.
(The recommended bolus is 4 to 6 grams)
3. Follow standing magnesium sulfate protocol (may vary by hospital):
o Primary IV: Lactated Ringer's solution
o Total fluid volume: 150 ml/hour
o Insert Foley catheter with urimeter attachment for hourly I&O
o Bedrest
o Vital signs & DTRs hourly after stabilized on magnesium sulfate
o Continuous uterine and fetal monitoring
o Calcium gluconate at bedside
4. Begin oxytocin (Pitocin) induction per protocol.
What is the primary action of magnesium sulfate when given in preeclampsia?
a. XXXX
b. XXXX
c. XXXX
Which assessment finding would indicate to the nurse that a client is experiencing magnesium
sulfate toxicity?
a. XXXX
b. XXXX
c. XXXX
A Legal Issue
The nurse asks Jennie if the healthcare provider has discussed labor and delivery processes, potential
complications, and the management of those complications with her, and if she understands them.
Jennie replies, "I think so," then asks for a pen.
Which action should the nurse take?
d. XXXX
e. XXXX
f. XXXX
Jennie's sister offers to sign the consent forms for her because Jennie is so young and just isn't feeling
well right now.
Which response by the nurse is correct?
g. XXXX
h. XXXX
i. XXXX
Evaluation
The 1500 assessment
Jennie reports that her headache has decreased slightly, but the epigastric pain has increased.
Complaints of scotoma began about 5 minutes ago.
Reflexes are 4+ biceps and patellar and 3+ triceps with 3 beats of ankle clonus.
Vital signs are: T 99° F, P 80, R 19, BP 144/96.
The most recent blood magnesium level is 2 gm/dl. Intake since admission (@0600) is 150 ml and
output is 300 ml. The healthcare provider increases the magnesium sulfate prescription to 2 gm/hr.
Fetal monitor tracing reveals a baseline fetal heart rate in the 120s, minimal long-term variability, no
accelerations, and no decelerations.
Uterine contractions are occurring every 4 to 5 minutes and they are moderate quality upon palpation.
Cervical exam indicates the cervix is now 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced, with the presenting part
(cephalic) at -1 station. Jennie reports mild discomfort with contractions but does not want anything
for pain at this time.
Jennie's partner and sister are at the bedside helping her use relaxation breathing through each
contraction. Jennie is in the right lateral position with the head of the bed slightly elevated.
Jennie asks why the magnesium sulfate was increased.
What explanation should the nurse provide?
a. XXXX
b. XXXX
c. XXXX
When the nurse evaluates the fetal monitor strip, she notes a decrease in the fetal heart rate longterm variability.
A Complication Occurs
At 1530 Jennie's sister rings the call bell and yells, "Come quickly, Jennie is shaking all over." The nurse
determines that Jennie is experiencing an eclamptic seizure.
Which nursing intervention takes priority?
a. XXXX
b. XXXX
c. XXXX
After the seizure ends, the nurse assesses the status of membranes, which may have ruptured with the
seizure, as well as the fetal heart rate and the contraction status.
The nurse observes the following pattern on the external fetal monitor:
Contractions occur every 3 minutes and last 60 seconds.
The baseline fetal heart rate is 130 beats per minute, and there is minimal long-term variability.
At the peak of each contraction, the fetal heart rate gradually decreases to 117 beats per minute, then
returns to the baseline 15 seconds after the contraction ends.
What type of periodic fetal heart rate change is occurring?
a. XXXX
b. XXXX
c. XXXX
Jennie is lying on her left side. Oxygen is being administered via mask at 10 liters per minute. Both of
these actions incorporate principles of intrauterine resuscitation. Intrauterine resuscitation is directed
toward improving uterine blood flow and increasing maternal oxygenation and cardiac output.
What should the nurse do next to ensure intrauterine resuscitation?
a. XXXX
b. XXXX
c. XXXX
Prevention and Treatment of Medication Complications
No further seizures occur, and at 1000 the nursing assessment reveals that Jennie is groggy but
responsive with hand grasp weak bilaterally. Her DTRs are 1+ biceps, triceps, and patellar with no ankle
clonus. Vital signs: BP 138/88, P 82, R 14.
The most recent magnesium level is 8 gm/dl. The hourly intake is 175 ml, and the output is 25 ml.
The baseline fetal heart rate via external monitor is baseline 130 with minimal, but improving, longterm variability. There are no accelerations, and the decelerations have ceased. Spontaneous rupture
of the amniotic membranes (SROM) occurred with the seizure, and the fluid is clear. Contractions are
occurring every 3 minutes and lasting 60 seconds. The contractions are strong to palpation. Vaginal
exam by the healthcare provider reveals that the cervix is dilated 7 cm and is 100% effaced and that
the fetal head is at 0 station.
The healthcare provider makes the decision to continue labor rather than perform a cesarean section
because both mother and baby are stabilizing, and the cervix is changing. Jennie is crying with each
contraction and requests something for pain. After consultation with the anesthesia provider, the
healthcare provider prescribes an epidural using a local anesthetic agent as opposed to an opioid
analgesic.
What medication should be readily available as an antidote for magnesium sulfate?
a. XXXX
b. XXXX
c. XXXX
Which complication is Jennie most at risk for following the epidural with a local anesthestic, such as
bupivacaine or ropivacaine?
j. XXXX
k. XXXX
l. XXXX
Client Teaching: Pushing Technique
At 1630 Jennie complains of rectal pressure and an urge to push. Her headache is worsening, but she
reports no scotoma and no epigastric pain. Her vital signs are: T 98.4° F, P 70, R 16, BP 130/83. DTRs
are 1+ biceps and triceps; unable to elicit patellar, no clonus.
Intake for the last hour is 150 ml, and output is 30 ml.
The baseline fetal heart rate is 120 with minimal long-term variability, positive for accelerations and
mild variable decelerations. Strong contractions lasting 70 seconds are occurring every 2 to 3 minutes.
Jennie's cervix is now 10 cm dilated, and the fetal head is at +3 station. The nurse informs the
healthcare provider.
Because Jennie is completely dilated and has the urge to push, the nurse reviews the proper pushing
technique with Jennie and her partner.
a. XXXX
b. XXXX
c. XXXX
1700: A Baby is Born
Jennie gives birth vaginally to a baby girl. The Apgar score is 2 at 1 minute, 6 at 5 minutes, and 7 at 10
minutes. After Jennie and her partner hold the baby for a few minutes, the baby is taken to the
neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for observation. The placenta is delivered spontaneously, and
Jennie remains in the labor/delivery/recovery room.
The NICU nurse anticipates and prepares for which complications in the newborn related to treatment
of the mother with magnesium sulfate?
a. XXXX
b. XXXX
c. XXXX
Post-birth Care
Jennie remains on magnesium sulfate. No further seizures have occurred, and she is stable at the
present time. The anesthesia provider has released Jennie from the postanesthesia care unit.
Which room and nursing staff assignments should be made for Jennie?
a. XXXX
b. XXXX
c. XXXX
Jennie's partner asks if some friends can come and watch television with him now that the baby has
been born." Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
a. XXXX
b. XXXX
c. XXXX
The nurse is aware that continued magnesium sulfate puts Jennie at risk for postpartum hemorrhage
even though Pitocin is infusing.
Which medication is safest for Jennie if a second one is needed to treat postpartum hemorrhage?
a. XXXX
b. XXXX
c. XXXX
Case Outcome
By 36-hours postpartum Jennie is diuresing and has decreased edema. She also has decreased CNS
irritability and a slight decrease in her BP. All of these are signs that the preeclampsia is resolving. She
is transferred to the Mother/Baby unit as is her newborn, who is also stable. Breastfeeding is
successfully initiated. On the fourth postpartum day, both are discharged home with follow-up planned
in one week. Since the risk for preeclampsia recurrence in subsequent pregnancies is 30%, the nurse
emphasizes the importance of sharing her history of the disease during this pregnancy with healthcare
providers during any future pregnancies.