A woman at 28 weeks of gestation experiences blunt abdominal trauma as the result of a fall.The nurse must closely observe the client for what?

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Electronic fetal monitoring (EFM)tracings can help evaluate maternal status after trauma and can reflect fetal cardiac responses to hypoxia and hypoperfusion.Signs and symptoms of placental absorption include uterine irritability,contractions,vaginal bleeding,and changes in FHR characteristics.Hypoperfusion may be present in the pregnant woman before the onset of clinical signs of shock.EFM tracings show the first signs of maternal compromise,such as when the maternal heart rate,blood pressure,and color appear normal,yet the EFM printout shows signs of fetal hypoxia.Abdominal pain,in and of itself,is not the most important symptom.However,if it is accompanied by contractions,changes in the FHR,rupture of membranes,or vaginal bleeding,then the client should be evaluated for abruptio placentae.Clinical signs of hemorrhage do not appear until after a 30% loss of circulating volume occurs.Careful monitoring of fetal status significantly assists in maternal assessment,because the fetal monitor tracing works as an oximeter of internal well-being.

A Woman at 28 Weeks of Gestation Experiences Blunt Abdominal