A nurse is caring for a child who is having a seizure.

Which of the following actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.)

Choice A rationale
Uterine atony refers to a soft and weak uterus after childbirth. It happens when your uterine muscles don’t contract enough to clamp the placental blood vessels shut after childbirth. This can lead to life-threatening blood loss after delivery. One of the causes of uterine atony is urinary retention. When the bladder is full, it can displace the uterus, preventing it from contracting properly. This can lead to uterine atony and postpartum hemorrhage. Therefore, urinary retention can cause uterine atony and lateral displacement of the fundus.
Choice B rationale
Poor involution of the uterus is a condition where the uterus does not return to its normal size after childbirth. While poor involution can lead to prolonged bleeding, it does not directly cause uterine atony. Uterine atony is specifically a lack of muscle contraction, while poor involution is a failure of the uterus to reduce in size.
Choice C rationale
While infection can lead to many complications during the postpartum period, it is not a direct cause of uterine atony. Infections can cause endometritis, which is inflammation of the uterine lining, but this does not prevent the uterus from contracting.
Choice D rationale
Hemorrhage, or heavy bleeding, is a result of uterine atony, not a cause. When the uterus does not contract properly after childbirth, it can lead to excessive bleeding, or hemorrhage.

Choice C rationale
The apex of the heart is the most appropriate site to assess an infant’s heart rate. In infants, the apical pulse provides the most accurate assessment of heart rate. The apical pulse is located at the fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line.
Choice A rationale
The carotid artery is not typically used to assess an infant’s heart rate. This site is more commonly used in adults and older children.
Choice B rationale
The brachial artery can be used to assess an infant’s heart rate, but it is typically used for blood pressure measurements rather than heart rate assessments.
Choice D rationale
The radial artery is not typically used to assess an infant’s heart rate. This site is more commonly used in adults and older children.