Radiology are now requesting blood pregnancy testing reproductive females from 10-35days from last period. But what is wrong with urine pregnancy testing?
Read moreCategory: Obs & Gynae
Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is common and at best an unpleasant experience for the patient, and at worst can be life threatening. It normal starts @ 4-7/40, peaks @ 9/40, and finishes @ 20/40.
We need to conduct a thorough history and examination looking for causes other than a high βHCG. these include:
- Abdominal pathology
- Urinary pathology
- Infections
- Drug History
- Chronic H.Pylori
Pulmonary Embolism in Pregnancy
Unfortunately the the normal pathway for investigation of PE performs poorly in pregnancy RCOG have the following pathway
1. Investigation – of suspected PE
- Clinical assessment – its all on the history and exam scoring doesn’t work
- Perform the following tests:
- CXR – sheilding can protect the baby and may avoid further radiation
- ECG
- Bloods: FBC, U&E, LFTs, Clotting
- Commence Tinzaparin (unless treatment is contraindicated – use booking weight to calculate dose) –[BNF]
Pre-Arrival Blood (O-ve)
On rare occasions you may receive a pre-alert, where you want blood available for the patient when they arrive (for example in major haemorrhage). This process has been agreed with transfusion so this can be done safely and responsibly. Read more
Transfusion Care Pathway
When giving blood products you need to use the transfusion care pathway.
- Octaplex
- Blood/Plt’s/FFP
It can be found on intranet > Policies & Documents Library >Other Systems [green button] > Clinical records repository > Search [title And transfusion] – its only 9 clicks away (and some writing)
