Case Study: High Risk Disorders of Pregnancy

Tina is a 42-year-old G1P0 at 35 weeks of gestation who has been sent to labor and delivery for evaluation from her physician's office. Today at her routine prenatal visit, her blood pressure was 160/95. Upon chart review, the nurse notes that her first trimester blood pressures were 120s/70s and her 2nd trimester readings were 110s/70s. The third trimester readings were 130s/70s-80s until today.

Question 1 What questions should the nurse ask Tina as part of her admission interview?

Question 2 What additional physical assessment data should the nurse obtain?

Question 3 What risk factors does Tina have for preeclampsia?

Question 4 Tina's blood pressure remains elevated and her urine dip shows 3+ protein on a clean voided specimen. Which data differentiates preeclampsia from gestational hypertension?

Question 5 Tina's physician has ordered induction of labor with an indication of severe preeclampsia. Tina is very worried about having a premature infant and wonders if the induction could be delayed until 37 or 38 weeks of gestation. How can the nurse explain the situation to Tina?