A CASE STUDY

ON

PRE-ECLAMPSIA

I.INTRODUCTION

Description of the Disease

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure

and signs of damage to another organ system, most often the liver and kidneys.
Preeclampsia usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women whose blood
pressure had been normal.

Left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious — even fatal — complications for both
you and your baby. If you have preeclampsia, the most effective treatment is delivery of
your baby. Even after delivering the baby, it can still take a while for you to get better.

If you're diagnosed with preeclampsia too early in your pregnancy to deliver your baby,
you and your doctor face a challenging task. Your baby needs more time to mature, but
you need to avoid putting yourself or your baby at risk of serious complications.

Rarely, preeclampsia develops after delivery of a baby, a condition known as postpartum

preeclampsia.

In addition symptoms of preeclampsia can include:

 Rapid weight gain caused by a significant increase of bodily fluid

  Abdominal pain

 Severe headaches

 A change in reflexes

 Reduced output of urine or no urine

 Dizziness

 Excessive vomiting and nausea

The exact causes of preeclampsia and eclampsia -- a result of a placenta that

doesn't function properly -- are not known, although some researchers suspect
poor nutrition or high body fat can be potential contributors. Insufficient blood flow to the
uterus could be associated. Genetics plays a role, as well.

The recommended treatment for preeclampsia during pregnancy is delivery of the

baby. In most cases, this prevents the disease from progressing.

Other treatments during pregnancy

In some cases, you may be given medications to help lower your blood pressure. You
may also be given medications to prevent seizures, a possible complication of
preeclampsia.

Your doctor may want to admit you to the hospital for more thorough monitoring. You
might be given intravenous (IV) medications to lower your blood pressure or steroid
injections to help your baby’s lungs develop quicker.

The management of preeclampsia is guided by whether the disease is considered mild

or severe. The signs of severe preeclampsia include:
  changes in the fetal heart rate that indicate distress

 abdominal pain

 seizures

 impaired kidney or liver function

 fluid in the lungs

You should see your doctor if you notice any abnormal signs or symptoms during your
pregnancy. Your main concern should be your health and the health of your baby.

Treatments after delivery

Once the baby is delivered, preeclampsia symptoms should resolve. According to

the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, most women will have normal
blood pressure readings 48 hours after delivery.

Also, research Trusted Source has found that for most women with preeclampsia, the
symptoms resolve and liver and kidney function return to normal within a few months.

However, in some cases, blood pressure can become elevated again a few days after
delivery. For this reason, close follow-up care with your doctor and regular blood pressure
checks are important even after delivery of your baby.

Although rare, preeclampsia can occur in the postpartum period following a normal
pregnancy. Therefore, even after an uncomplicated pregnancy, you should see your
doctor if you’ve recently had a baby and notice the symptoms noted above.

Nurse-centered Objectives

Upon completion of this case study, the student nurse should be able to:

1. Identify the risk factor contributing to the occurrence of the disease.

2. Formulate significant nursing diagnosis, with the significantly related care plan.
Client-Centered Objectives

Upon completion of this case study, the client should be able to:

1. Understand awareness of her disease.

2. Know the possible causes of the diseases.
3. Learn and understand why such laboratory examinations are being done.