HELLP Syndrome
HELLP Syndrome ( 5 Questions)
A client with HELLP syndrome reports severe epigastric pain and nausea.
The nurse should suspect that the client is experiencing:
The client with HELLP syndrome is experiencing severe epigastric pain and nausea due to liver damage caused by hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets. Hepatic rupture is a life-threatening complication of HELLP syndrome that can cause bleeding and shock.
Normal ranges for liver enzymes are AST < 40 IU/L and ALT < 56 IU/L. Normal range for platelet count is 150-400 x 10⁹/L.
Pancreatitis is wrong because it is not a common complication of HELLP syndrome and it usually causes more diffuse abdominal pain rather than localized epigastric pain.
Gastric ulcer is wrong because it is not associated with HELLP syndrome and it does not explain the other symptoms such as hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets.
Cholecystitis is wrong because it is not related to HELLP syndrome and it usually causes right upper quadrant pain rather than epigastric pain.
Hepatic rupture. The client with HELLP syndrome is experiencing severe epigastric pain and nausea due to liver damage caused by hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets. Hepatic rupture is a life-threatening complication of HELLP syndrome that can cause bleeding and shock.
Choice B. Pancreatitis is wrong because it is not a common complication of HELLP syndrome and it usually causes more diffuse abdominal pain rather than localized epigastric pain.
Choice C. Gastric ulcer is wrong because it is not associated with HELLP syndrome and it does not explain the other symptoms such as hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets.
Choice D. Cholecystitis is wrong because it is not related to HELLP syndrome and it usually causes right upper quadrant pain rather than epigastric pain.
Normal ranges for liver enzymes are AST < 40 IU/L and ALT < 56 IU/L. Normal range for platelet count is 150-400 x 10⁹/L.