Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Preeclampsia/eclampsia, also known as toxemia of pregnancy, remains one of the great triad of obstetric complications. The outlook for the preeclamptic woman and the fetus has improved as a result of increased knowledge of uteroplacental-fetal physiology and of the physiologic deviations involved in preeclampsia, although the basic cause of preeclampsia remains unknown. Careful screening of women at risk for preeclampsia along with early detection and treatment can help reduce the toll taken in stillbirths, prematurity, and maternal death. Current concepts of pathophysiology are reviewed as is nursing care during the antepartum and intrapartum periods.