A woman who is 36 weeks pregnant feels faint and her blood pressure drops when lying on her back. How should you position her?
- Flat with legs raised
- On her left side
- Sitting bolt upright
- Face down on the cot
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B. On her left side
Lying flat lets the heavy uterus press on the large vein returning blood to the heart. Turning her onto the left side moves the uterus off the vein and restores blood flow.
Reference: National EMS Education Standards (EMT): Special patient populations, obstetrics; supine hypotensive syndrome
Which findings in late pregnancy suggest preeclampsia?
- High blood pressure and a headache
- Low blood pressure and a slow pulse
- Painless bright red vaginal bleeding
- Fever with burning on urination
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A. High blood pressure and a headache
Preeclampsia shows as high blood pressure with headache, visual changes and swelling of the face and hands. If seizures follow, it has become eclampsia.
Reference: National EMS Education Standards (EMT): Special patient populations, obstetrics; complications of pregnancy
What are the first steps in caring for a newborn right after birth?
- Clamp the cord and weigh the baby
- Give oxygen by nonrebreather mask
- Start chest compressions at once
- Dry, warm and stimulate the baby
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D. Dry, warm and stimulate the baby
Drying, warming and gentle stimulation are enough to get most newborns breathing well. Newborns lose heat fast, so drying and wrapping come before anything else.
Reference: National EMS Education Standards (EMT): Special patient populations, obstetrics; newborn care; AHA neonatal resuscitation