Diagnosis of Birth Injury
Birth Injury Diagnosis: Book Excerpts
Diagnosis of Birth Injury: medical news summaries:
The following medical news items
are relevant to diagnosis and misdiagnosis issues for Birth Injury:
Diagnostic Tests for Birth Injury: Online Medical Books
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE!
Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration,
for more information about diagnostis of Birth Injury.
Low birth weight:
History and physical examination
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
As soon as possible, evaluate the neonate’s neuromuscular and physical maturity to determine gestational age. (See Ballard Scale for calculating gestational age, pages 382 and 383.) Follow with a routine neonatal examination.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006
Cesarean birth:
Diagnosis
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Special tests and monitoring procedures provide early indications of the need for cesarean birth:
❑ Magnetic resonance imaging or clinical pelvimetry reveals CPD and malpresentation.
❑ Ultrasonography shows pelvic masses that interfere with vaginal delivery and fetal position.
❑ Auscultation of fetal heart rate (by fetoscope, Doppler unit, or electronic fetal monitor) determines acute fetal intolerance of labor.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Premature labor:
Diagnosis
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Premature labor is confirmed by the combined results of prenatal history, physical examination, presenting signs and symptoms, and ultrasonography (if available) showing the fetus’position in relation to the mother’s pelvis. Vaginal examination confirms progressive cervical effacement and dilation.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Open trauma wounds:
Diagnosis
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
A thorough physical examination of the patient will reveal traumatic wounds. They may be seen during the primary and secondary assessment of the patient.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Rape trauma syndrome:
Diagnosis
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Even if the victim wasn’t beaten, the physical examination (including a pelvic examination by a gynecologist) will probably show signs of physical trauma, especially if the attack was prolonged. Depending on specific body areas attacked, a patient may have a sore throat, mouth irritation, difficulty swallowing, ecchymoses, or rectal pain and bleeding.
If additional physical violence accompanied the rape, the victim may have hematomas, lacerations, bleeding, severe internal injuries, and hemorrhage; if the rape occurred outdoors, she may suffer from exposure. X-rays may reveal fractures. If severe injuries require hospitalization, introduce the victim to her primary nurse if possible.
Assist throughout the examination and carefully label all possible evidence. Before the victim’s pelvic area is examined, take vital signs; if she’s wearing a tampon, remove it, wrap it, and label it as evidence. The pelvic examination is typically very distressing for the victim. Reassure her and allow her as much control as possible. During the examination, assist in specimen collection, including those for semen and gonorrhea. Carefully label all specimens with the patient’s name, the physician’s name, and the location from which the specimen was obtained. List all specimens in your notes. If the case comes to trial, specimens will be used for evidence, so accuracy is essential. (See Legal considerations, page 338.) Most emergency departments have “rape kits” that include containers for specimens.
Carefully collect and label fingernail scrapings and foreign material obtained by combing the victim’s pubic hair; these also provide valuable evidence. Note to whom you give these specimens.
For a male victim, be especially alert for injury to the mouth, perineum, and anus. As ordered, obtain a pharyngeal specimen for a gonorrhea culture and rectal aspirate for acid phosphatase or sperm analysis.
Assist in photographing the patient’s injuries (this may be delayed for 1 day or repeated when bruises and ecchymoses are more apparent).
Most states require medical facilities to report rape. The patient may not press charges and not assist the police. If the patient doesn’t go to a facility, she may not report the rape.
If the police interview the patient in the facility, be supportive and encourage her to recall details of the rape. Your kindness and empathy are invaluable.
The patient may also want you to call her family. Help her to verbalize anticipation of her family’s response.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Low birth weight:
History and physical examination
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
As soon as possible, evaluate the neonate’s neuromuscular and physical maturity to determine gestational age. (See Ballard Scale for calculating gestational age, pages 488 and 489.) Follow with a routine neonatal examination.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Asphyxia:
Diagnosis
(Handbook of Diseases)
Patient history and laboratory test results support the diagnosis. Pulse oximetry reveals decreased hemoglobin (Hb) saturation with oxygen except in patients with carbon monoxide poisoning where Hb is bound by the toxicant, falsely elevating the saturation value. Arterial blood gas analysis, the most important test, indicates decreased partial pressure of oxygen (less than 60 mm Hg) and increased partial pressure of carbon dioxide (greater than 50 mm Hg). Chest X-rays may show a foreign body, pulmonary edema, or atelectasis. Toxicology tests may show drugs, or chemicals. Abnormal Hb levels may also be detected in a complete blood count. Pulmonary function tests may indicate respiratory muscle weakness.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Wounds, open trauma:
Diagnosis
(Handbook of Diseases)
A thorough physical examination of the patient will reveal traumatic wounds. They may be seen during the primary and secondary assessment of the patient.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Low birth weight:
History and physical examination
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
As soon as possible, evaluate the neonate's neuromuscular and physical maturity to determine gestational age. (See Ballard Scale for calculating gestational age.) Follow with a routine neonatal examination.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
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