Lab work and other clinical assessments

Lab work and other clinical assessments

Description:

This module explores standard prenatal labwork and other clinical assessments, interpreting the results and how to best utilize this information in midwifery care. It includes recommended reading materials in print and online, and asks students to complete short answer questions for assessment, long answer questions for deeper reflection, and learning activities/projects to deepen your hands-on direct application of key concepts.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the standard prenatal lab work and the established lab work schedule for low-risk pregnant clients.
• Understand normal values for routine labwork, and what to do when abnormal values are detected.
• Identify microscopic images for the following: amniotic fluid ferning, candida, trichomonas, and bacterial vaginosis
• Identify possible postpartum lab work and appropriate postpartum labwork follow-up in response to prenatal values or findings.
• Understand the risk of Rh sensitization and the use of Rhogam.
• Identify blood groups and types.
• Understand the different types of anemia and how they may be addressed.
• Describe syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia and their effects.
• Review the purpose of glucose screening and testing.
• Identify the OGCT and OGTT and their appropriate application
• Understand the use of the principles of Midwives Model of Care to provide informed choice for labwork
• Determine useful screening questions for HIV risk status, and establish appropriate screening guidelines for your own practice.
• Understand precautions with HIV positive clients and current recommendations for preventing “mother-to-child-transmission” of HIV.
• Identify microscopic images for the following: amniotic fluid ferning, candida, trichomonas, and bacterial vaginosis
• Review the TORCH infections and identify the correlating lab work for their detection.
• Identify the local community standard for hepatitis screening.
• Explore the implications of GBS.
• Identify the local community standard for GBS screening and treatment.
• Identify the local lab services for newborn cord blood, newborn screening (“PKU”) and bilirubin counts.
• Identify the collection materials and procedure in preparation for learning venipuncture skills.
• Identify the collection materials and procedure in preparation for learning IV administration skills.
• Identify the collection materials and procedure in preparation for learning pap smear and swab collection skills.
• Understand the NST and how it may be utilized to determine fetal well being.
• Identify how an ultrasound can be used to establish an estimated due date.
• Identify the limitations of ultrasounds to establish EDD or estimate fetal weight.
• Identify the components of the biophysical profile and determine how this screen might be used.
• Draft practice guidelines for prenatal and postpartum lab work in your own practice.
• Create or adapt prenatal and postpartum forms for recording lab work results.
• Demonstrate your ability to discuss with clients, use informed consent, and secure the collection of the appropriate lab samples.
• Demonstrate your ability to comprehend and apply the requested information provided in the lab reports

Learning Activities:

• Research and read appropriate study sources, seeking out additional study sources where needed
• Complete short answer questions in attached module document for assessment
• Complete long answer questions for deeper reflection in attached module document for assessment
• Complete learning activities listed in attached module document for assessment
  • Draft practice guidelines for prenatal and postpartum lab work
  • Draft practice guidelines for Group B Strep screening and treatment
  • Draft practice guidelines for prenatal anemia screening and treatment
  • Draft practice guidelines for HIV positive clients in your own practice
  • Draft practice guidelines for newborn lab work in your own practice
  • Discuss how your record lab results
  • Memorize the normal range of lab values
  • Research the practical aspects of labwork and perinatal assessments in your community
• Submit work to Study Group Course Coordinator
• Reflect on feedback from Study Group Course Coordinator and re-submit work as needed

Study Sources (print):

Required Reading:

• Understanding Diagnostic Tests in the Childbearing Year, Frye: Use the book index to locate and read all pages pertaining to particular module questions
• Holistic Midwifery, Vol. I, Frye, 579-586, 656-658
• Holistic Midwifery, Vol II, Frye, p.858-888
• Varney’s Midwifery, p.391, 700-703, 706-718, 769-770, 773-775, 803-808, 815-816, 839-842, 1052-1054

Optional Reading:

• Human Anatomy and Physiology, Marieb
• The Natural Pregnancy Book, Romm
• Natural Healing in Gynecology, Nissim

Study Sources (online):

See NMI website Labwork and other Clinical Assessments module web resources section for current online study sources for this module.

Related Modules:

• Lactation & Infant Feeding
• Digestion
• Ectopic Pregnancy
• General Pregnancy and Postpartum Ailments
• Nutrition
• Fertility and Conception
• Gestational Diabetes
• Prenatal Genetic Screening
• Hemorrhage
• Herpes
• Hypertension
• Jaundice
• Basic Life Science
• Liver
• Pharmacology for Midwives
• Postdates Management & Postmaturity
• Preterm Labor
• Renal System
• Spontaneous Release of Membranes
• Pregnancy Loss: Abortion, Miscarriage, and Stillbirth
• Substance Use and Abuse
• Urinary Tract Infection
• Uterine Size and EDD Discrepancies
• Lifelong Reproductive Healthcare