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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?

A.

Administer oxytocin infusion.

B.

Evaluate the firmness of the uterus.

C.

Initiate oxygen therapy by non-rebreather mask.

D.

Obtain a type and crossmatch.

Answer and Explanation

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 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 C

Explanation

Choice A rationale
While it’s important to report concerns to the primary care provider, this does not directly address the mother’s concern about her newborn’s crossed eyes.
Choice B rationale
Strabismus is a condition where the eyes do not properly align with each other, but it is not the same as the normal crossing of a newborn’s eyes.
Choice C rationale
This is the correct answer. Newborns often lack the muscle control to regulate eye movement, which can cause their eyes to cross.
Choice D rationale
Taking the baby to the nursery for further examination may be necessary if there are other concerns, but it does not directly address the mother’s concern about her newborn’s crossed eyes.

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