A nurse is caring for a client who gave birth 2 hours ago.
The nurse notes that the client’s blood pressure is 60 mm Hg. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Administer oxytocin infusion.
Evaluate the firmness of the uterus.
Initiate oxygen therapy by non-rebreather mask.
Obtain a type and crossmatch.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
Administering oxytocin infusion is usually done to stimulate uterine contractions and prevent postpartum hemorrhage. However, it’s not the first action to take when the client’s blood pressure is low.
Choice B rationale
Evaluating the firmness of the uterus is crucial in this situation. A soft or “boggy” uterus could indicate uterine atony, a condition that can lead to serious postpartum hemorrhage. This could be the cause of the client’s low blood pressure.
Choice C rationale
Initiating oxygen therapy by non-rebreather mask can help increase the client’s oxygen saturation levels, but it doesn’t address the underlying cause of the low blood pressure.
Choice D rationale
Obtaining a type and crossmatch is important if the client needs a blood transfusion. However, it’s not the first action to take. The nurse should first assess for possible causes of the low blood pressure.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Assisting the family to identify prior use of positive coping skills in family crises can be helpful, but it’s not the priority action in this situation.
Choice B rationale
Anticipating a prescription by the provider for an antidepressant might be necessary if the client is diagnosed with postpartum depression. However, the nurse first needs to assess the risk to the client and her newborn.
Choice C rationale
Asking the client if she has considered harming her newborn is the priority action. This question is crucial in assessing for postpartum depression and the safety of the newborn.
Choice D rationale
Reinforcing postpartum and newborn care discharge teaching is important, but it’s not the priority action when the client is expressing feelings of sadness and lack of energy.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A newborn typically begins to void within 24 hours after birth, so not voiding within this time frame is not immediately concerning.
Choice B rationale
Acrocyanosis, or bluish discoloration of the hands and feet, is common in newborns, especially within the first few hours after birth. It is a normal finding and does not require immediate intervention.
Choice C rationale
A temperature of 37.5°C (99.5°F) is within the normal range for a newborn. Therefore, this does not require immediate attention.
Choice D rationale
Newborns typically pass meconium, the first stool, within 24 to 48 hours after birth. If a newborn has not passed meconium within 24 hours, it could indicate a problem such as meconium ileus, a complication of cystic fibrosis, or other conditions that might obstruct the bowel. This situation requires immediate attention and intervention.
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