A nurse is caring for a client who is 4 hours postpartum following a vaginal birth. The client has saturated a perineal pad within 10 minutes. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Prepare to administer a prescribed oxytocic preparation.
Assess the bladder for distention.
Massage the client's fundus.
Assess the client's blood pressure.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason:
Administering a prescribed oxytocic preparation is an important step in managing postpartum hemorrhage, as it helps to contract the uterus and reduce bleeding. However, it is not the first action a nurse should take when a client has saturated a perineal pad within 10 minutes postpartum.
Choice B reason:
Assessing the bladder for distention is also important because a full bladder can impede the contraction of the uterus and lead to increased bleeding. However, this is not the immediate action to take in the event of excessive postpartum bleeding.
Choice C reason:
Massaging the client's fundus is the first action the nurse should take. A boggy uterus, which is soft and not well contracted, can lead to excessive bleeding. Fundal massage stimulates the uterus to contract and can quickly reduce blood loss.
Choice D reason:
Assessing the client's blood pressure is vital to determine the client's hemodynamic status, but it is not the first action to take. The priority is to address the cause of the bleeding and stabilize the client.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice a reason:
Increasing abdominal pain with a nonrelaxed uterus is not typically indicative of placenta previa. This symptom could suggest other complications such as uterine rupture or placental abruption, which are serious conditions requiring immediate medical attention.
Choice b reason:
Abdominal pain with scant red vaginal bleeding is also not a classic sign of placenta previa. While vaginal bleeding can occur in placenta previa, it is usually not associated with abdominal pain. Pain accompanied by bleeding is more suggestive of other obstetric emergencies.
Choice c reason:
Painless red vaginal bleeding is a hallmark sign of placenta previa. In placenta previa, the placenta covers the cervical os either partially or completely, leading to bleeding when the lower part of the uterus stretches and thins as part of the preparation for labor. This bleeding is typically sudden and painless and can range from light to heavy.
Choice d reason:
Intermittent abdominal pain following the passage of bloody mucus is not characteristic of placenta previa. This symptom could be associated with the normal process of losing the mucus plug as labor approaches or could indicate other conditions but is not specific to placenta previa.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is generally not directly associated with maternal smoking. It is an autoimmune condition where the pancreas produces little to no insulin. Risk factors for Type 1 diabetes include family history and possibly environmental factors, but maternal smoking is not a recognized risk factor.
Choice B reason:
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) refers to poor growth of a fetus while in the mother's womb during pregnancy. The causes of IUGR are many, but maternal smoking is a well-documented risk factor. Smoking during pregnancy can reduce oxygen and nutrient delivery to the fetus, leading to low birth weight and other complications.
Choice C reason:
While smoking during pregnancy can increase the risk of various health issues, there is no direct and consistent evidence linking it to hearing loss in newborns. Hearing loss in newborns can be due to genetic factors, infections during pregnancy, or complications at birth.
Choice D reason:
Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect, and their causes can be multifactorial, including genetic and environmental factors. Maternal smoking has been associated with an increased risk of certain congenital heart defects, but the relationship is not as strong as with intrauterine growth restriction.
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