A nurse is attending to a client 2 hours after a spontaneous vaginal birth and the client has saturated two perineal pads with blood within a 30-minute period.
What should be the priority nursing intervention at this time?
Prepare to administer oxytocic medication.
Assist the client on a bedpan to urinate.
Palpate the client’s uterine fundus.
Increase the client’s fluid intake.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Administering oxytocic medication is an intervention that may be necessary if the client’s bleeding does not stop or if the uterus does not contract adequately. However, the priority is to assess the situation, which includes palpating the uterine fundus.
Choice B rationale
Assisting the client on a bedpan to urinate can help if the bladder is full and preventing the uterus from contracting properly. However, the priority is to assess the uterus by palpating the uterine fundus.
Choice C rationale
Palpating the client’s uterine fundus is the priority nursing intervention. A boggy uterus (one that does not contract properly) is a common cause of postpartum hemorrhage. If the uterus is not firm upon palpation, massage it until it firms up.
Choice D rationale
Increasing the client’s fluid intake can help replace lost fluids, but it is not the priority intervention. The first step is to assess the cause of the bleeding, which includes palpating the uterine fundus.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Placing the client in a lateral position can help improve blood flow to the uterus and placenta, which can help stabilize the client’s blood pressure and the fetal heart rate.
Choice B rationale
Monitoring vital signs every 5 minutes is important, but the priority action is to address the client’s low blood pressure, which can compromise blood flow to the fetus.
Choice C rationale
Elevating the client’s legs can help increase venous return and improve blood pressure, but it is not the priority action in this situation.
Choice D rationale
Notifying the provider is important, but the nurse should first take action to stabilize the client’s condition.
Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]
Explanation
Step 1: The nurse should observe the lochia during palpation of the fundus. This can help assess the amount and type of vaginal discharge after childbirth.
Step 2: The nurse should not massage a firm fundus. If the uterus is firm, it means it is contracting well to control bleeding.
Step 3: The nurse should determine whether the fundus is midline. A uterus that is not midline may indicate a full bladder, which can interfere with uterine contraction and lead to increased bleeding.
Step 4: Documenting fundal height is not typically done postpartum. Instead, the nurse assesses whether the fundus is firm and midline.
Step 5: The nurse should administer methylergonovine maleate if the uterus is boggy. This medication helps the uterus contract to control bleeding.
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