National League for Nursing

About: National League for Nursing is a other organization based out in Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Nurse education & Health care. The organization has 72 authors who have published 121 publications receiving 13109 citations. The organization is also known as: NLN.

Umbilical artery Doppler flow studies during pregnancy.

Abstract: The fetus depends upon adequate uteroplacental blood flow for normal growth and development. Inaccessibility of the fetus has made assessment of uteroplacental blood flow difficult. Doppler ultrasound of umbilical artery blood flow provides a noninvasive method for assessing pregnancies at risk for poor outcomes. This article describes blood flow studies using the Doppler ultrasound technique and provides related nursing implications. Management of the high-risk pregnant patient and the conditions that may affect her unborn child has improved dramatically during the past two decades. Early diagnosis of impaired uteroplacental circulation reduces perinatal morbidity and mortality. Doppler ultrasound is becoming an accepted method of assessing pregnancies at risk and may be used in conjunction with a variety of other diagnostic tests used to evaluate fetal well-being. Nurses are instmmental in teaching and supporting patients undergoing the testing procedures. Effective use of the nursing process is essential to set priorities and provide continuity of care for patients receiving Doppler ultrasound.