Page 180 - Critical Maternity & Newborn Health Nursing

Tests for women with preeclampsia

• If results from one or more of the above tests suggest that the mother

have preeclampsia, the mother and the fetus will be closely

monitored throughout the remainder of the pregnancy.

• The type & frequency of testing depend on the severity of

preeclampsia and the time remaining until the pregnancy reaches full

term (37 to 42 completed weeks). Testing is more frequent and

extensive when preeclampsia is severe and the pregnancy is far from
full-term (less than 36 weeks).

Tests that may be given to assess the mother health if she has

preeclampsia include:

• A physical exam for signs and symptoms of worsening preeclampsia.

• Blood tests to check for blood abnormalities and kidney damage.

• A creatinine clearance test, which requires both blood and urine

samples, to assess kidney function.

Tests for women with eclampsia

If the mother have a seizure (eclampsia), one or more of the following tests

may be done after delivery to assess brain function and condition:

• A computed tomography (CT) scan uses x-rays to produce detailed

pictures of structures inside the body.

• Magnetic resonance image (MRI) uses a magnetic field and pulses

of radio wave energy to provide pictures of organs and structures

inside the body.

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