Unit 9: Prevention and Management of Severe Pre-Eclampsia and Eclampsia
- Updated 7/16/2021
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Overview
This unit discusses the classification of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and treatment protocols for anti-hypertensive medication administration.
Objectives
By the end of this unit, participants will be able to:
- Explain the classification of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.
- Demonstrate ability to accurately measure and record blood pressure.
- Demonstrate ability to assess for severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in limited-resource settings.
- Demonstrate ability to safely prepare and administer magnesium sulfate for intramuscular and IV administration.
- Discuss treatment protocols for anti-hypertensive medication administration.
Timing & Methodology
Total: 240 minutes (4 hours)
- 10 minutes: Role Play and Group Discussion
- 15 minutes: Facilitator Presentation and OPTIONAL Skills Practice: Blood Pressure Measurement
- 20 minutes: Paired Role Play Activity
- 40 minutes: Demonstration and Skills Practice: Preparing and Administering Magnesium Sulfate
- 10 minutes: Video and Discussion: Severe Pre-Eclampsia
- 10 minutes: Facilitator Presentation and Group Discussion: Antihypertensives
- 60 minutes: Clinical Simulation and Debrief
- 75 minutes: Continued Skills Practice
Preparation
- Print, download, and gather materials.
- Ask host organization for sample client records.
- Set up tables in the back of the training space with stations for skills practice on preparing and administering magnesium sulfate.
Resources Available Online
- Refer to the Facilitator’s Guide for the detailed session guide and list of materials needed for this unit
- Presentation
- Participant Workbook
Severe Pre-Eclampsia, Childbirth Series
Pre-eclampsia is a serious problem that can occur in the last half of pregnancy through two weeks after birth. It can cause convulsions or strokes and can be life-threatening for both woman and baby. This video shows how to determine if a woman has severe pre-eclampsia and how to manage her first care.
Taking a Blood Pressure
In pregnancy, high blood pressure may be a sign of pre-eclampsia and can also result in a baby being born too soon or too small. Measuring blood pressure may seem like a simple skill that any health provider should know how to do correctly—but there are many fine points that can improve the accuracy. This video covers what blood pressure numbers mean and demonstrates the fine points of checking blood pressure accurately.