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Clinical Practice
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Amniotic Fluid Embolism: Recognizing the Signs

Recognize suspected amniotic fluid embolism, initiate coordinated resuscitation, distinguish major mimics, and support hemorrhage and cardiac-arrest care.

A multidisciplinary labor and delivery team conducts a simulated maternal resuscitation with chest compressions, manual uterine displacement, airway support, and hemorrhage equipment.
Contact hours
4
Format
Self-paced, online
Last reviewed
Sep 19, 2026

$20.00or included with All-Access

$5 per contact hour · 4 contact hours

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  • No post-test required · unlimited retakes · evaluation and attestation always required

Course Purpose

Recognize suspected amniotic fluid embolism, initiate coordinated resuscitation, distinguish major mimics, and support hemorrhage and cardiac-arrest care.

Continuing Education Credit Designation

This educational activity is credited for 4 contact hours at completion of the activity.

Overview

After completing this course, the nurse will be able to recognize the abrupt respiratory, cardiovascular, neurologic, fetal, and coagulation findings that should trigger suspicion for amniotic fluid embolism. The learner will also be able to compare AFE with other causes of peripartum collapse. The nurse will be prepared to activate an obstetric emergency response, support pregnancy-modified resuscitation, assist with massive transfusion and hemorrhage control, and provide ongoing critical care and family support.

Objectives

Upon completion of this independent study, the learner will be able to:

  1. Identify clinical findings that should raise suspicion for amniotic fluid embolism during labor, birth, or the immediate postpartum period.
  2. Explain the current understanding of the pathophysiology and epidemiology of amniotic fluid embolism.
  3. Differentiate suspected amniotic fluid embolism from pulmonary thromboembolism, hemorrhage, anaphylaxis, sepsis, eclampsia, cardiomyopathy, and anesthetic complications.
  4. Prioritize immediate respiratory, cardiovascular, obstetric, and hemorrhage interventions for a patient with suspected amniotic fluid embolism.
  5. Implement nursing actions that support pregnancy-modified cardiopulmonary resuscitation, massive transfusion, resuscitative delivery, and post-resuscitation care.
  6. Document and communicate assessment findings, interventions, treatment response, and family needs during and after the emergency.

Policy Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the policies of FastCEForLess.com. This course should be used for informational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, treat, prescribe, recommend, or initiate therapies or treatments in any setting. This course is copyrighted by Fast CE For Less, Inc. and may not be replicated, copied, or dispersed without written consent.

Disclosures

Fast CE For Less, Inc. and its authors have no disclosures. There is no commercial support.

Who this course is for:

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, registered nurses, licensed practical or vocational nurses, and other healthcare providers in any setting who want continuing education on Amniotic Fluid Embolism: Recognizing the Signs.

Course outline

9 sections · finish in any order across devices

  1. 1

    Introduction

  2. 2

    Physiology of Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE)

  3. 3

    Amniotic Fluid Embolism Incidences

  4. 4

    Causes

  5. 5

    Signs and Symptoms

  6. 6

    Differential Diagnoses

  7. 7

    Treatment Options

  8. 8

    Nursing Considerations

  9. 9

    Conclusion

References

The full reference list is included inside the course, after the Conclusion.

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