A nurse is caring for a client 2 hours after a spontaneous vaginal birth and the client has saturated two perineal pads with blood in a 30-minute period. Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention at this time?
Assist the client on a bedpan to urinate.
Increase the client's fluid intake.
Palpate the client's uterine fundus.
Prepare to administer oxytocic medication.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason:
Assisting the client on a bedpan to urinate is important for assessing urinary output and preventing bladder distension. However, in this situation, the priority is to assess and manage postpartum hemorrhage, which is indicated by the excessive bleeding.
Choice B reason:
Increasing the client's fluid intake is generally a good measure for promoting hydration and maintaining blood volume. However, it is not the priority in this scenario of excessive postpartum bleeding.
Choice C reason:
Palpating the client's uterine fundus is the priority nursing intervention at this time. The excessive bleeding indicated by saturating two perineal pads in a 30-minute period suggests postpartum hemorrhage, which can result from uterine atony (failure of the uterus to contract adequately after childbirth). Palpating the fundus allows the nurse to assess if the uterus is firm or boggy, and if it is not contracting properly, immediate interventions can be initiated to control the bleeding.
Choice D reason:
Preparing to administer oxytocic medication (such as oxytocin) can help stimulate uterine contractions and prevent or manage postpartum hemorrhage. However, the priority is to first assess the uterine fundus and confirm the cause of the excessive bleeding before administering any medication.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A: Change her position to the right side
Changing the mother’s position to the right side can sometimes help improve fetal oxygenation by relieving pressure on the vena cava. However, since the mother is already lying on her left side, which is typically the preferred position to optimize blood flow, changing to the right side may not be as effective .
Choice B: Place a wedge under the left hip
Placing a wedge under the left hip is a common intervention to improve uteroplacental blood flow. This position helps to tilt the uterus off the vena cava, enhancing venous return and improving cardiac output, which can positively affect fetal oxygenation. This is why it is the correct answer.
Choice C: Lower the head of the bed
Lowering the head of the bed can help increase blood flow to the upper body and brain, but it does not specifically address the issue of improving uteroplacental blood flow. This action is less targeted for resolving nonreassuring fetal heart rate patterns.
Choice D: Place the mother in a Trendelenburg position
The Trendelenburg position, where the mother is laid flat on her back with her feet elevated higher than her head, is generally used to treat hypotension or to improve venous return in cases of shock. However, it is not typically recommended for nonreassuring fetal heart rate patterns as it can increase pressure on the diaphragm and reduce respiratory efficiency.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Maternal exhaustion is a maternal indication for the use of vacuum extraction. Vacuum extraction is a technique that can assist the mother in delivering the baby when she is unable to push effectively or when pushing poses a risk to her health. Vacuum extraction can shorten the second stage of labor and reduce maternal fatigue and distress. According to the Cleveland Clinic, vacuum extraction might be indicated if "the mother can't push anymore, either due to exhaustion or a health condition.".
Choice B reason:
Failure to progress past 0 station is not a maternal indication for the use of vacuum extraction. The station refers to the position of the baby's head in relation to the mother's pelvis. 0 station means that the baby's head is at the level of the pelvic inlet, or the narrowest part of the pelvis. Vacuum extraction is usually not performed before the baby reaches +2 station, which means that the head is 2 cm below the pelvic inlet and visible at the vaginal opening. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, vacuum extraction should not be attempted if "the fetal head is not engaged (above 0 station).".
Choice C reason:
A wide pelvic outlet is not a maternal indication for the use of vacuum extraction. The pelvic outlet is the lower part of the pelvis that forms the exit for the baby during delivery. A wide pelvic outlet means that there is more space for the baby to pass through, which can facilitate vaginal delivery and reduce the need for instrumental assistance. Vacuum extraction is more likely to be indicated when there is a narrow pelvic outlet, which can obstruct labor and cause fetal distress.
Choice D reason:
A history of rapid deliveries is not a maternal indication for the use of vacuum extraction. Rapid deliveries, also known as precipitous deliveries, are those that occur within 3 hours of the onset of labor. Rapid deliveries can pose risks to both the mother and the baby, such as excessive bleeding, umbilical cord prolapse, or birth trauma. However, vacuum extraction is not usually indicated in these cases, as it requires time and preparation to apply the device and monitor its effects. Vacuum extraction is more likely to be indicated when labor is prolonged or stalled in the second stage, and when there is a nonreassuring fetal heart rate.
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