Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
Hypertensive disorders occur in 6% to 8% of all pregnancies, are the second leading cause of maternal death, and contribute to significant neonatal morbidity and mortality. This is a problem not only in inpatient settings, as ambulatory and home-care nurses are increasingly being called upon to monitor women who are at high risk and may have hypertensive disorders. To prevent hypertension-induced problems in pregnant women, nurses must have strong assessment, advocacy, and counseling skills. Nurses also must provide care based on the latest national standards as described in this article.
Peters
Rosalind M
RM
College of Nursing, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA. rpeters@wayne.edu
Flack
John M
JM
D000328:Adult; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000451:nursing; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology