A nurse is caring for a client who is postpartum. The client is experiencing excessive vaginal bleeding and has a boggy uterus. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Apply oxygen via a non-rebreather mask at & L/min.
Administer methylergonovine 0.2 mg IM
Encourage the client to empty her bladder
Initiate fundal massage.
The Correct Answer is D
Rationale:
A) Incorrect - Applying oxygen is not the priority action in the case of excessive vaginal bleeding and a boggy uterus. Oxygen therapy would be appropriate if there were signs of respiratory distress or decreased oxygen saturation, but it does not directly address the primary concern of uterine atony and bleeding.
B) Incorrect - Administering methylergonovine might be appropriate, but the priority is to address the uterine atony with fundal massage first. Fundal massage helps stimulate uterine contractions and control bleeding, which is crucial in this scenario.
C) Incorrect - Encouraging the client to empty her bladder is important, but it is not the first action to take in the case of excessive bleeding and uterine atony. Immediate intervention to control the bleeding takes precedence.
D) Correct - Initiating fundal massage is the priority action in this situation. A boggy uterus with excessive vaginal bleeding indicates uterine atony, which is a potentially life-threatening condition requiring immediate intervention to prevent further bleeding.
Fundal massage helps the uterus contract and control bleeding. Addressing uterine atony is critical to prevent further hemorrhage and stabilize the client's condition.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Correct- Amoxicillin is a safe and effective antibiotic for treating chlamydia infection in pregnant women.
B) Incorrect - Tetracycline and related antibiotics are often used to treat chlamydia, but they are contraindicated during pregnancy due to potential effects on fetal tooth and bone development. is contraindicated in pregnancy because it can cause fetal tooth discoloration and bone deformities.
C) Incorrect- Metronidazole is used for treating bacterial vaginosis and certain other infections, but it is not the first-line treatment for chlamydia.
D) Incorrect- Acyclovir is used to treat herpes simplex virus infections, not chlamydia.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Elevated blood pressure is typically associated with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia rather than hyperemesis gravidarum. In hyperemesis, the significant fluid loss through protracted vomiting more commonly leads to hypovolemia and a subsequent decrease in systemic blood pressure. While compensatory tachycardia may occur, hypertension is not a direct scientific expectation for this clinical condition.
B. Leukopenia, which is a decrease in the white blood cell count, is not a typical finding in clients suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum. Hemoconcentration caused by severe dehydration may actually result in a relative increase in various laboratory values, including hematocrit and occasionally white cell counts. There is no physiological mechanism within this disorder that causes the bone marrow suppression required for leukopenia.
C. Hydramnios, or excessive amniotic fluid volume, is generally associated with fetal anomalies or maternal diabetes rather than severe vomiting. Hyperemesis gravidarum is characterized by a state of maternal fluid volume deficit rather than an excess of amniotic fluid. In severe, untreated cases, maternal dehydration might actually lead to decreased placental perfusion and a potential reduction in amniotic fluid.
D. Ketonuria is a critical finding in hyperemesis gravidarum that indicates the body has shifted to an anaerobic metabolic state. Because the client cannot retain sufficient carbohydrates for energy, the body begins catabolizing adipose tissue to produce fuel, resulting in the accumulation of ketone bodies. The presence of these ketones in the urine confirms that the client is experiencing metabolic starvation and requires immediate intervention.
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