Treatment Goals
› Provide Emergency Nursing Care and Reduce Risk of Complications
• Resuscitate, as appropriate, and monitor all physiologic systems for signs of severe hemorrhage, shock, and other
complications; frequently monitor vital signs, intake and output, bleeding, and fetal heart tones for signs of distress (e.g.,
bradycardia, tachycardia, late deceleration, and variable decelerations)
• Assess for pain, which can be severe, and provide analgesia as ordered; monitor treatment efficacy and for adverse effects
• Increase maternal/fetal tissue perfusion by administering prescribed supplemental oxygen; I.V. fluids, including crystalloid
fluids, for aggressive hydration; and transfusion of packed red blood cells (RBCs), platelets, and frozen plasma
–Administer prescribed Rho(D) immune globulin if patient is Rh negative, I.V. augmented oxytocin to induce labor if
indicated, tocolytics (e.g., magnesium sulfate) to inhibit uterine contractions in preterm labor, and corticosteroids (e.g.,
betamethasone) to enhance fetal lung maturity, as appropriate
–If patient is hemodynamically stable, administer and educate about the use of prenatal vitamins with adequate folate (0.4
mg), iron supplements, and stool softeners