High-risk pregnancy screening techniques: a nursing overview.
Procedures and indications for nonstress fetal monitoring, oxytocin challenge tests, 24-hour measurement of urine estriols, ultrasound, and amniocentesis, five of the most widely used diagnostic tools for monitoring the fetus at risk, are reviewed. While none of these tests is completely accurate by itself, selective use of these tests improves the ability to diagnose placental insufficiency and to predict the ability of the fetus to survive outside the uterus. Complications may threaten the life of the fetus, but delivery can be timed to minimize the complications associated with prematurity. Overall, skilled medical management of underlying problems remains most important, while tests of placental insufficiency add valuable, but supplementary guidelines for overall management of the high-risk patient.
D000033:Abortion, Threatened / Q000451:nursing*; D000649:Amniocentesis; D004964:Estriol / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D005323:Fetal Monitoring / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D010927:Placental Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis; D011247:Pregnancy; D014463:Ultrasonography
D004964:Estriol