Post-Procedural Responsibilities
If external fetal monitoring shows that the fetal heart rate is decelerating, initiates supportive strategies to reduce fetal stress, including administration of oxygen and repositioning the pregnant woman in the left lateral recumbent position or Trendelenburg; optimizing uterine blood flow and oxygen delivery to the fetus
A handheld fetal doppler can be used to verify the low fetal heart rate and rule out equipment failure
If the fetal heart rate remains dangerously low, an emergency cesarean delivery may be necessary
If laboratory testing or other diagnostic procedures are ordered, explains to the patient/family how these procedures are performed, and when the results will likely to become available
If the patient will go home after the assessment of preterm labor is performed, educates regarding
how to contact the treating clinician if questions or problems arise
clinical signs and symptoms that can indicate the recurrence of preterm labor and should be immediately reported to the treating clinician. These signs and symptoms include the return of uterine contractions and PPROM
If the patient is admitted for further assessment and treatment, educates regarding what to expect during observation, labor, birth, and postpartum, including the possibility of having a newborn admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. If the patient is transferred to another healthcare facility, reassures the patient that perinatal centers are designed to provide specialized care to high risk antepartum patients and neonates
Explains the importance of keeping scheduled follow-up medical appointments to allow continued medical surveillance of the patient’s condition
Documents performing assessment in the patient’s medical record, including