Preeclampsia

You are working in a rural Emergency Department. You see a 35 year-old female who comes into the emergency department for a headache. Through a proper history and physical, you also note right upper quadrant abdominal pain, leg swelling, and she is obviously pregnant. She is a G1P0 who is 38-weeks pregnant. Initial blood pressure is quite high. Despite any measures to control it, the patient will progress to a seizure. If the seizure is treated aggressively with IV magnesium, she will recover. If not, the patient will continue to seize. Case will end with a brief handoff to OBGYN via phone.

Learning Objectives

– Recognize preeclampsia

– Treat eclamptic seizure

– Good team and family communication skills