Ectopic Pregnancy

Course Overview

This Course will cover the clinical features and pathophysiology of ectopic pregnancy, as well as present practical nursing management information for the care of these women.

Topics

• Incidence, aetiology and pathology of ectopic pregnancy;
• Treatment, management and counselling;
• Nursing management.

Need

Health practitioners dealing with women in the reproductive years are likely to encounter women who have experienced an ectopic pregnancy.

Purpose

Heighten awareness of one of the potentially most dangerous complications of pregnancy, and to enable assistance with its diagnosis and counselling of the affected woman and her family.

Learning Outcomes

• State the main features of the pathology of ectopic pregnancy.
• Describe the clinical presentation of ectopic pregnancy.
• Explain the management and prognosis of ectopic pregnancy.

Target Audience

Health professionals caring for women who are in their reproductive years.

Disclosure

No conflict of interest exists for anyone in the position to control content for this activity. Wherever possible, generic or non-proprietary names of medications or products have been used.

Educators

Hilary Bush

Hilary Bush is a registered nurse and consultant who trained and works in Melbourne. She has previously worked as a Nurse Planner and Online Education Manager at Ausmed Education. She enjoys actively contributing to the advancement of nursing professional development in Australia, as well as developing and evaluating engaging continuing education activities for nurses, worldwide. Hilary is currently undertaking a Master of Education (Educational Management) at the University of Melbourne. See Educator Profile

Graeme Dennerstein

Dr Dennerstein is an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with medical expertise in the health of the vulva and vagina. He is the former Head of the Dermo-gynaecology Clinic at The Mercy Hospital for Women and co-author of the book entitled: The Vulva and Vagina Manual. He has lectured extensively on this topic, both internationally and nationally. Graeme has extensive experience in family planning and reproductive health. In 1971 he established the Family Planning and Infertility Clinic at the Western General Hospital in Melbourne, serving as its director until 1986. From 1980 to 1989 he was the Honorary Secretary for the Medical Advisory Committee of the Family Planning Association of Victoria.  He is a member of the Sexual Health Society of Victoria Inc. and is widely published. He has, for example, produced several papers on the use of Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA). See Educator Profile