PUQE (nausea/vomiting of pregnancy)
Severity of nausea & vomiting in pregnancy (3 items, 3–15).
What it is for
Grading NVP / hyperemesis & response to antiemetics. ≥ 13 = severe.
Use the working calculator
The working PUQE (nausea/vomiting of pregnancy) calculator is on our calculators page. It is free and needs no account. Enter the values and it shows the result with the reading that goes with it.
The calculators are free. The trial opens the protocols and pathways they link to.What you enter
The calculator asks for 3 items.
- Hours per day feeling nauseatedOptions: Not at all; ≤ 1 hour; 2–3 hours; 4–6 hours; > 6 hours
- Vomiting episodes per dayOptions: None; 1–2; 3–4; 5–6; ≥ 7
- Retching / dry heaving episodes per dayOptions: None; 1–2; 3–4; 5–6; ≥ 7
How the result is read
The result is shown as PUQE, out of a maximum of 15.
The calculator reads each total as follows. Where a single answer changes the reading (for example sex, age or one extreme value), the working calculator says so.
| Total | Band | What the calculator says |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 6 | Mild | Conservative + oral antiemetic if needed (cyclizine / promethazine / prochlorperazine). Reassure; dietary measures; hydration. |
| 7 to 12 | Moderate | Regular oral antiemetic; check hydration/weight; consider ambulatory care. Escalate antiemetic (add metoclopramide/ondansetron with counselling). |
| 13 to 15 | Severe | Likely hyperemesis — assess dehydration, weight and U&E (not ketonuria — RCOG 2024); consider admission / IV fluids + thiamine. RCOG: ≥ 13 severe; risk of Wernicke’s if prolonged. |
Sources
These are the sources the calculator cites. Check the current version before relying on a threshold.
Related
For qualified clinicians. A score supports a clinical decision and does not make it: check the inputs, read the cited source, and use the tools in your clinical system for patient care where one is provided.