Question

Discussion Question:

Research preeclampsia. What are the signs and symptoms? What are the abnormal assessment findings that would determine a diagnosis of preeclampsia?

Answer 1

Preeclampsia is one of the most common complication during pregnancy where there is a sudden rise in blood pressure and swelling mostly in the face, hands and feet.

It generally develops during the third trimester and affects 1 in 20 pregnancies.

Intially , Preeclampsia may present no symptoms however early sings include:-

a) High blood pressure ( Hypertension)

b) Protein in the Urine ( Proteinuria)

In the most of the cases the women will not be aware of these two signs and will be found out during antenatal visit check up .

Later on , the following sign and symptoms may develop.These are as follows:-

- Swelling of Face,hands and feets

- Blurring of vision, sometime seeing flashing lights

- Headache

- Malaise

- Shortness of breath

- Pain just below the ribs on the right side

- Rapid weight gain (caused by fluid retention)

- Vomiting

- Decrease in urine output

- Decrease in platelets in the blood

- Impaired liver function.

To diagnose preeclampsia,the patients have high blood pressure and one or more of the following complications after 20th week of pregnancy:-

- Protein in urine(Proteinuria)

- A low platelet count

- Impaired liver function.

- Signs of kidneys problems other than protein in urine

- Fluid in the lungs

- New onset headache or visual disturbances