Fundal Height Measurement PDF

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Fundal Height Measurement...

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ACTIVE LEARNING TEMPLATE:

Nursing Skill

Cerny STUDENT NAME Melissa _____________________________________ fundal height SKILL NAMEMeasuring ____________________________________________________________________________ REVIEW MODULE CHAPTER ___________

Description of Skill Measuring the abdomens fundal height in centimeters to validate the weeks of gestation and evaluate fetal growth.

Indications Patients in the second trimester with fetuses around 20 to 32 weeks are able to utilize fundal height measurement because it is about the eqivalent to the gestational age.

Outcomes/Evaluation Measurements that are below the estimated gestational age may be from miscalculation in due dates, a growth restriction, or a problem with the fetus. Measurements above the estimated gestational age may be from hydramnios, a large-for-gestational-age fetus, a miscalculation in due dates, or a multiple fetuses.

Potential Complications If bladder is not emptied, measurement could be off by about 3 cm. Patient should be in the same position for each measurement. After 32 weeks, fundal height mesurement does not reflect the gestational age since the fetus is growing more in weight than in length.

ACTIVE LEARNING TEMPLATES

CONSIDERATIONS

Nursing Interventions (pre, intra, post) Before starting, have the patient empty her bladder. If not emptied, the measurement could be off. Patient should lie supine with head elevated on pillow and/or knees flexed. Position should be the same for each time patient is measured. Ideally, same person should measure each time.

Client Education Educate the patient on the importance of emptying the bladder prior to being measured. Educate the patient on how her measurement compares to the gestational age and growth of the fetus.

Nursing Interventions Make sure patient has emptied bladder prior to starting. Have patient lie down supine with head elevated on pillow with or without knees flexed. Measure the distance from the symphysis pubis to the top of the fundus in centimeters....