Diagnosis of Preeclampsia
Diagnostic Test list for Preeclampsia:
The list of medical tests
mentioned in various sources as
used in the diagnosis of Preeclampsia
includes:
Tests and diagnosis discussion for Preeclampsia:
Preeclampsia is defined as a pregnancy-specific syndrome
observed after the 20th week of pregnancy with systolic blood pressure of >=
140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure of >= 90 mmHg, accompanied by
significant proteinuria. Previous definitions included edema as part of the
diagnosis, but this has subsequently been dropped as being too non-specific.
Likewise, the criteria of a 30-point change in systolic blood pressure or a
15-point change in diastolic blood pressure have been eliminated for the same
reason in favor of an absolute blood pressure threshold. (Source: excerpt from REPORT of the WORKING GROUP on RESEARCH on HYPERTENSION DURING PREGNANCY: NHLBI)
Diagnosis of Preeclampsia: medical news summaries:
The following medical news items
are relevant to diagnosis and misdiagnosis issues for Preeclampsia:
Diagnostic Tests for Preeclampsia: Online Medical Books
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Pregnancy-induced hypertension:
Diagnosis
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
The following findings suggest preeclampsia:
❑ elevated blood pressure readings: 140 systolic, measured on two occasions, 6 hours apart; 90 diastolic, measured on two occasions, 6 hours apart
❑ proteinuria: at least 300 mg/24 hours.
The following findings suggest severe preeclampsia:
❑ higher blood pressure readings: 160/110 mm Hg or higher on two occasions, 6 hours apart, on bed rest
❑ increased proteinuria: 5 g/24 hours or more
❑ presence of pulmonary edema
❑ ultrasound: may reveal oligohydraminos
❑ oliguria: urine output less than or equal to 400 ml/24 hours.
Seizures strongly suggest eclampsia. Rarely, ophthalmoscopic examination may reveal vascular spasm, papilledema, retinal edema or detachment, and arteriovenous nicking or hemorrhage.
Real-time ultrasonography, stress and nonstress tests, and biophysical profiles evaluate fetal status. In the stress test, oxytocin stimulates contractions; fetal heart tones are then monitored electronically. In the nonstress test, fetal heart tones are monitored electronically during periods of fetal activity, without oxytocin stimulation. Electronic monitoring reveals stable or increased fetal heart tones during periods of fetal activity.
Ultrasonography aids evaluation of fetal health by assessing fetal breathing movements, gross body movements, fetal tone, reactive fetal heart rate, and qualitative amniotic fluid volume.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Hypertension, pregnancy-induced:
Diagnosis
(Handbook of Diseases)
The following findings suggest mild preeclampsia:
❑ elevated blood pressure readings — 140 mm Hg systolic or a rise of 30 mm Hg or more above the patient’s normal systolic pressure measured on two occasions, 6 hours apart; 90 mm Hg diastolic or a rise of 15 mm Hg or more above the patient’s normal diastolic pressure measured on two occasions, 6 hours apart
❑ proteinuria — greater than 500 mg/24 hours.
The following findings suggest severe preeclampsia:
❑ much higher blood pressure readings — 160/110 mm Hg or higher on two occasions, 6 hours apart, while on bed rest
❑ increased proteinuria — 5 g or more/24 hours
❑ oliguria — urine output less than or equal to 400 ml/24 hours
❑ deep tendon reflexes — possibly hyperactive as central nervous system (CNS) irritability increases.
Typical clinical features — especially seizures — with typical findings for severe preeclampsia strongly suggest eclampsia. An ophthalmoscopic examination may reveal vascular spasm, papilledema, retinal edema or detachment, and arteriovenous nicking or hemorrhage.
Real-time ultrasonography and stress and nonstress tests evaluate fetal well-being. In the stress test, oxytocin stimulates contractions; fetal heart tones are then monitored electronically.
In the nonstress test, fetal heart tones are monitored electronically during periods of fetal activity without oxytocin stimulation. Electronic monitoring reveals stable or increased fetal heart tones during periods of fetal activity.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Pulse pressure, widened:
Assessment
(Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series)
History
Obtain the patient’s history, including a family medical history. Obtain a drug history. Has he experienced chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, or syncope? Ask the patient whether he recently had a fever. Ask about prolonged exposure to hot weather, excessive exercise, anxiety, or anemia.
Physical examination
Assess the patient for signs and symptoms of heart failure, such as crackles, dyspnea, and jugular vein distention. Check for changes in skin temperature and color and strength of peripheral pulses. Evaluate the patient’s LOC. Auscultate the heart for the presence of a murmur, and check for peripheral edema.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series, 2007
Pulse pressure, widened:
History
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
Obtain the patient’s medical, family, and drug histories. If you don’t suspect increased ICP, ask about such associated symptoms as chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, or syncope.
Physical assessment
After you detect a widened pulse pressure, assess for signs and symptoms of heart failure, such as crackles, dyspnea, and jugular vein distention. Also check for changes in skin temperature and color, strength of peripheral pulses, and LOC. Auscultate the heart for murmurs. Check for peripheral edema.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007
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