CHAPTER 9: PREGNANCY AND TRIAGE
CHAPTER 9: PREGNANCY AND TRIAGE
Statement of purpose
The purpose of this chapter is to:
• Provide an outline of the physiological adaptations that occur in pregnancy; and
• Discuss the factors that influence the triage code allocation for pregnant women.
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Learning outcomes
After completing this chapter, participants will be able to state the main physiological changes that occur in pregnancy and explain how these adaptations will influence the allocation of a triage code. Participants will also be able to identify common and life-threatening complications that present to triage and discuss how urgency is determined for these conditions.
Learning objectives
• Outline the physiological changes in pregnancy that may modify triage decision-making.
• Describe the relevant questions to ask about a woman’ s obstetric history.
• Discuss common non-obstetric conditions that may adversely impact on a pregnant woman and the unborn child.
• Explain the maternal factors that may alert the Triage Nurse that urgent foetal assessment is required.
• Discuss significant obstetric complications of pregnancy that impact on the pregnant woman and the unborn child.
Key points
• All women of child-bearing age should be considered to be pregnant until proven otherwise.
• An assessment of urgency must be made on the basis of both the woman and the foetus.
• An elevated BP is an ominous sign: the higher the BP the more urgent the review.
• Pregnant women are at an increased risk of a number of conditions, including cerebral haemorrhage, cerebral thrombosis, severe pneumonia, atrial arrhythmias, venous thrombosis and embolus, spontaneous arterial dissection, cholelithiasis and pyelonephritis, than non-pregnant women of child-bearing age.
• Presentations may include concerns about normal manifestations or progression of pregnancy.
Department of Health and Ageing – Emergency Triage Education Kit