What is the first thing you should do when a patient shows signs of preeclampsia?

When a patient displays signs of preeclampsia, the first priority is to assess blood pressure and then provide transport to a medical facility. Preeclampsia is characterized by elevated blood pressure and often accompanying symptoms, and it can pose serious risks to both the mother and the fetus. By assessing blood pressure, you obtain critical information that can help determine the severity of the condition and the urgency of the situation.

Transporting the patient promptly to a medical facility is essential because preeclampsia can rapidly progress to more severe complications, such as eclampsia, which involves seizures, or other life-threatening situations. Early identification and treatment in a hospital setting are crucial for the safety of both the mother and the baby.

In this context, while monitoring the fetal heart rate is important in the overall care of the pregnant patient, it should not take precedence over the immediate assessment and management of the mother's condition. Administering medication to lower blood pressure is typically outside the EMT's scope of practice and requires further medical evaluation. Reassurance and scheduling a follow-up may be appropriate in some situations but are not suitable responses in the face of potential preeclampsia, where immediate action is required.