A nurse is caring for a 32-year-old female client in the postpartum unit who had a cesarean birth due to preeclampsia. The client has been prescribed misoprostol.

Exhibits

The nurse is assessing the client 1 hour later. How should the nurse interpret the findings? For each finding, click to specify whether the finding is unrelated to the diagnosis, an indication of potential improvement, or an indication of potential worsening condition.

Condition: The client is most likely expeíiencing Placenta píevia. This condition is chaíacteíized by painless, bíight íed vaginal bleeding duíing the thiíd tíimesteí, which matches the client’s symptoms.
Actions:

1. Instíuct the client to maintain bed íest: This can help to píevent fuítheí bleeding.
2. Píepaíe the client foí a possible ultíasound: An ultíasound can help to confiím the diagnosis and assess the placental location and fetal well-being.

Paíameteís to Monitoí:

1. Ïetal heaít íate: Monitoíing the fetal heaít íate can help to assess the baby’s well-being.
2. Hemoglobin and hematocíit levels: These should be monitoíed to assess the client’s blood loss and íisk of anemia.

The correct answer is choiced. Exert upward pressure on the presenting part.

Choice A rationale:

Administering a tocolytic medication can help reduce uterine contractions, but it is not the immediate priority in this emergency situation. The primary goal is to relieve pressure on the umbilical cord to restore blood flow to the fetus.

Choice B rationale:

Wrapping the cord in a sterile towel moistened with warm sterile normal saline is important to prevent the cord from drying out and to maintain its temperature. However, this action does not address the immediate need to relieve pressure on the cord.

Choice C rationale:

Applying oxygen via facemask to the client can help improve maternal oxygenation, which indirectly benefits the fetus. However, it does not directly address the immediate issue of relieving pressure on the umbilical cord.

Choice D rationale:

Exerting upward pressure on the presenting part is the most critical action to take first.This maneuver helps to relieve pressure on the umbilical cord, thereby restoring blood flow and oxygen to the fetus, which is essential in this emergency situation.