Severe preeclampsia: implications for critical-care obstetric nursing

Severe preeclampsia can have a catastrophic effect on maternal-fetal outcome; therefore, perinatal nurses must have a working knowledge of related pathophysiologic processes to perform advanced assessment and interpret data. Technologic adjuncts developed over the past decade, such as the fiberoptic pulmonary artery catheter, allow more precise assessment of maternal hemodynamic status and oxygenation for some patients. With such information, the health-care team can guide therapy to promote optimal outcomes.