Nursing care for abortion

1. Nursing Care
for Abortion/
Pregnancy
Loss

2. Pre-operative care for
surgical abortion
Instructions to be delivered to the client/ patients:
1. For morning appointments: NBM, no smoking,
after 12:00 am (midnight) the day of the procedure.
2. For afternoon appointments: NBM, no
smoking, after 8am the day of the procedure.
You may have clear fluids (water, black coffee/tea,
cranberry juice) until 10am, after then, nothing
to drink.
3. No recreational drugs or alcoholic beverages
for 48 hours prior to surgery.

3. 4. Please dress comfortably; no make-up, jewelry,
contact lenses, or high heel shoes. Bring a first
morning urine sample, a bathrobe or blanket,
and a pair of slippers or socks.
5. Please do not bring children with you to the
office. Make sure that you have a reliable
escort to drive you home as it is illegal to drive
after anesthesia.
6. Do not use aspirin, aspirin products, narcotics
or street drugs for 48 hours prior to your
appointment time.
7. If you are using insurance, please bring your
insurance card and a valid state picture ID such
as a motor vehicle ID or driver’s license.
http://www.hartfordgyncenter.com/aborti
on.aspx

4.  Nursing responsibilities:
1. Check pt’s name, type of surgery, Hx
2. Monitor V/S, blood test, bleeding and vaginal
secretion ( character, colour & volume)
3. Strict aseptic technique
4. Strengthen the perineum care & maintain the
vulva cleanliness
5. Psychological care: sympathizing,
understanding & caring
6. To check/ trace ultrasound result
7. No SI 3 days before op. R: prevent infection
8. Empty the bladder.
9. Comfort the pt.

5. Post-operative care
 Monitor vital signs to identify any internal
bleeding or infection. Blood pressure and
pulse.
 Assess the client’s conscious level, the
presence of malaise, cold clammy skin, pale
or dizziness to rule out possibility of
hypovolemic shock.
 Assess for severity of pain using pain scale.
Administer analgesics as prescribed and
assess the effectiveness of the medication.
 Check for any excessive vaginal bleeding or
soakness of the sanitary pad and its
characteristic. (vaginal bleeding normally
stop within 3-5 days.

6.  Assess the IV line and drip to make sure no
kinking, no obstruction and in accurate rate
flow.
 Encourage fluid intake to prevent dehydration
due to blood loss during surgery.
 Monitor and strict on intake and output.
 Strictly aseptic technique to prevent cross
infection and provide perineum care. Educate
the client to maintain effective hand washing
technique and perineal care.
 Note any pus or foul smelling from the vaginal
discharge to rule out possible infection.

7.  Maintain healthy diet to provide the body
with enough nutrition for fast recovery of
the operated site and regaining of energy
 Provide emotional support encourage family
support due to pregnancy loss.
 Allow grieving and expression of her
concerns over the loss pregnancy.
 Refer the client to social support groups.