Preeclampsia
🚨 Symptoms
High blood pressure, protein in urine (proteinuria), severe headaches, vision changes (blurred vision, light sensitivity), upper abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, sudden weight gain, swelling (edema) in face and hands
🔍 Causes
Placental dysfunction; exact cause unknown; risk factors: first pregnancy, previous preeclampsia, multiple pregnancy, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, autoimmune conditions, age >40
💊 Treatment
Monitoring blood pressure and urine protein, antihypertensive medications (labetalol, nifedipine, methyldopa), magnesium sulfate for seizure prevention (eclampsia prevention), early delivery (only cure is delivery of placenta), corticosteroids for fetal lung maturity if early delivery anticipated
📝 Nursing Care
Monitor blood pressure, urine protein, reflexes (for hyperreflexia), assess for headache, visual changes, epigastric pain; administer magnesium sulfate as ordered; monitor for magnesium toxicity (respiratory depression, decreased reflexes, decreased urine output); prepare for delivery; educate on warning signs
Source: NHS Scotland. For educational purposes only.