What reflexes do you check for preeclampsia?

What reflexes do you check for preeclampsia?

With preeclampsia, a woman’s reflexes become unusually active. Increasing blood pressure will lead to increasing hyperreflexia (overactive reflexes), until eventually uncontrollable seizures result.

What physical assessment findings would be typical for a mom with pre eclampsia?

A diagnosis of preeclampsia happens if you have high blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy and at least one of the following findings:

• Protein in your urine (proteinuria), indicating an impaired kidney.
• Other signs of kidney problems.
• A low blood platelet count.
• Elevated liver enzymes showing an impaired liver.

Why do you get hyperreflexia in preeclampsia?

Hyperreflexia is generally caused by an overreaction of the involuntary nervous system to stimulation. Deep tendon reflexes are increased in many women prior to seizures, but seizures can also occur without hyperreflexia.

What does DTR 2+ mean?

By convention the deep tendon reflexes are graded as follows: 0 = no response; always abnormal. 1+ = a slight but definitely present response; may or may not be normal. 2+ = a brisk response; normal. 3+ = a very brisk response; may or may not be normal.

Why do we check deep tendon reflexes?

The DTR is used to assess the integrity of the motor system. They also provide information on the condition of upper and lower motor neurons. The DTR depends on the integrity of both the upper motor neuron and the lower motor neuron.

Which is the immediate nursing action during eclampsia?

Nursing Management Send blood and urine for testing. Administer prescribed medications. Monitor reflexes on patients on magnesium sulfate. Neurologic checks regularly.

How do doctors check for preeclampsia?

Pre-eclampsia is easily diagnosed during the routine checks you have while you’re pregnant. During these antenatal appointments, your blood pressure is regularly checked for signs of high blood pressure and a urine sample is tested to see if it contains protein.

What is pregnancy clonus?

Although brisk or hyperactive reflexes are common during pregnancy, clonus is a sign of neuromuscular irritability that usually reflects severe pre-eclampsia.

What does a DTR 2 +/ 4 mean?

0 = no response; always abnormal. 1+ = a slight but definitely present response; may or may not be normal. 2+ = a brisk response; normal. 3+ = a very brisk response; may or may not be normal. 4+ = a tap elicits a repeating reflex (clonus); always abnormal.

How would the nurse check for clonus in a patient with preeclampsia?

The answer is C: To check for clonus the nurse will have the patient dangle the leg and support the patient’s lower leg. Then the nurse will quickly dorsiflex the foot.