The nurse's competence in the awareness and prevention of pre-eclampsia:: a literature review

Abstract

Pre-eclampsia is a complication of pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure and damage to organs such as the kidneys and liver. This condition, which affects 2 to 8% of pregnant women, can appear after the 20th week of gestation and persist after delivery, and is one of the main causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The study aims to analyze the competence of nurses in raising awareness and preventing preeclampsia. The methodology is structured on a qualitative bibliographic review, with a bibliographic survey on the Scorpus and Medline platforms, using the following descriptors in the search: Nurse; Pre-Eclampsia; Preventive strategies, in Portuguese and English, these being Nurse; pre-eclampsia; Preventive strategies, limited to the period from 2019 to 2024. The studies point to basic prenatal care as a determining factor in the prevention of preeclampsia, highlighting the role of nurses in this context. By monitoring blood pressure and performing regular exams, nurses contribute to the early detection of pathologies and provide health education to pregnant women. Humanized care helps reduce anxiety and provides guidance on healthy habits. This approach to managing hypertensive pregnant women still faces challenges such as access to exams. Therefore, continuous and integrated care is essential for maternal and fetal health and the prevention of complications. The nurse's skills in the prevention and control of preeclampsia are linked to a multidisciplinary approach, which allows for the early identification of warning signs. The implementation of effective preventive measures aims to improve maternal and child outcomes and prevent serious complications.

Pre-eclampsia is a complication of pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure and damage to organs such as the kidneys and liver. This condition, which affects 2 to 8% of pregnant women, can appear after the 20th week of gestation and persist after delivery, and is one of the main causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The study aims to analyze the competence of nurses in raising awareness and preventing preeclampsia. The methodology is structured on a qualitative bibliographic review, with a bibliographic survey on the Scorpus and Medline platforms, using the following descriptors in the search: Nurse; Pre-Eclampsia; Preventive strategies, in Portuguese and English, these being Nurse; pre-eclampsia; Preventive strategies, limited to the period from 2019 to 2024. The studies point to basic prenatal care as a determining factor in the prevention of preeclampsia, highlighting the role of nurses in this context. By monitoring blood pressure and performing regular exams, nurses contribute to the early detection of pathologies and provide health education to pregnant women. Humanized care helps reduce anxiety and provides guidance on healthy habits. This approach to managing hypertensive pregnant women still faces challenges such as access to exams. Therefore, continuous and integrated care is essential for maternal and fetal health and the prevention of complications. The nurse's skills in the prevention and control of preeclampsia are linked to a multidisciplinary approach, which allows for the early identification of warning signs. The implementation of effective preventive measures aims to improve maternal and child outcomes and prevent serious complications.