A nurse is caring for a client who gave birth 2 hr ago.

The nurse notes that the client’s blood pressure is 60/50 mm Hg. What is the first action the nurse should take?

Choice A rationale
Intravenous fluids (IVF) at maintenance rate is anticipated for the client. Dehydration can increase the viscosity of the blood and promote sickling in clients with sickle cell disease. Therefore, maintaining hydration is crucial in managing sickle cell crises.
Choice B rationale
Meperidine IV for pain is contraindicated for the client. Meperidine has been associated with a higher risk of seizures, especially in clients with kidney dysfunction, which can occur in sickle cell disease due to sickling in the renal vasculature.
Choice C rationale
Ice packs to the affected area for 15 min on/15 min off is nonessential for the client. While cold therapy can help reduce inflammation and numb pain, it can also lead to vasoconstriction, which can potentially exacerbate sickling. Therefore, it’s generally recommended to use warm compresses rather than ice packs in clients with sickle cell disease.
Choice D rationale
Oxygen 2 L/min via nasal cannula is anticipated for the client. Hypoxia can trigger sickling in clients with sickle cell disease, so oxygen therapy is often used to increase oxygen saturation and reduce the risk of sickling.

Choice A rationale
The nurse should be concerned about a client with an 18kg (4 lb) weight gain in her first trimester. This is because the expected weight gain for a client in the first trimester is usually around 1.8 kg (4 lb)1. A weight gain of 18 kg in the first trimester significantly exceeds this expectation, which could indicate a potential health issue such as gestational diabetes or multiple pregnancies. It’s important for the nurse to report this finding to the healthcare provider for further evaluation and management.
Choice B rationale
A client with a 68 kg (15 lb) weight gain in her second trimester does not necessarily pose a concern. Weight gain during pregnancy varies among individuals and can be influenced by factors such as the mother’s body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy, the baby’s growth rate, and the mother’s diet and lifestyle. However, it’s always important to monitor weight gain throughout pregnancy to ensure it’s within a healthy range.
Choice C rationale
A client with a 13 kg (25 lb) weight gain in her third trimester does not necessarily pose a concern. Weight gain during the third trimester can be influenced by factors such as the baby’s growth rate, amniotic fluid volume, and the mother’s increased blood volume. However, it’s always important to monitor weight gain throughout pregnancy to ensure it’s within a healthy range.
Choice D rationale
A client with a 3.6 kg (8 lb) weight gain in her first trimester does not necessarily pose a concern. This is within the expected weight gain range for the first trimester. However, it’s always important to monitor weight gain throughout pregnancy to ensure it’s within a healthy range.