A woman who is 12 hours postpartum had a pulse rate around 80 beats per minute during pregnancy. Now, the nurse finds a pulse of 60 beats per minute. Which of these actions should the nurse take?
Select one:

Contact the physician, as it indicates early DIC.

Contact the physician, as it is a first sign of postpartum eclampsia.

Document the finding as it is a normal finding at this time.

Obtain an order for a CBC, as it suggests postpartum anemia.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A Reason: Contact the physician, as it indicates early DIC. This is an incorrect answer that confuses a low pulse rate with a high pulse rate. DIC stands for disseminated intravascular coagulation, which is a life-threatening condition where abnormal clotting and bleeding occur simultaneously in the body. DIC can occur as a complication of postpartum hemorrhage, infection, or placental abruption. DIC can cause tachycardia (high pulse rate), not bradycardia (low pulse rate).

Choice B Reason: Contact the physician, as it is a first sign of postpartum eclampsia. This is an incorrect answer that misinterprets a low pulse rate as a sign of hypertension. Postpartum eclampsia is a condition where seizures occur in a woman who has preeclampsia or eclampsia after delivery. Preeclampsia and eclampsia are characterized by high blood pressure and proteinuria in pregnancy. Postpartum eclampsia can cause hypertension (high blood pressure), not hypotension (low blood pressure).

Choice C Reason: Document the finding as it is a normal finding at this time. This is because a pulse rate of 60 beats per minute is within the normal range for an adult and may reﬂect a physiological adaptation to the postpartum period. During pregnancy, the maternal blood volume and cardiac output increase, which can elevate the pulse rate. After delivery, these parameters gradually return to pre-pregnancy levels, which can lower the pulse rate.

Choice D Reason: Obtain an order for a CBC, as it suggests postpartum anemia. This is an incorrect answer that assumes that a low pulse rate is caused by anemia. Anemia is a condition where the red blood cell count or hemoglobin level is lower than normal, which can impair oxygen delivery to the tissues. Anemia can occur in the postpartum period due to blood loss during delivery or poor nutritional intake during pregnancy. Anemia can cause tachycardia (high pulse rate), not bradycardia (low pulse rate).

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A Reason: Physiologic anemia due to maternal increased plasma volume. This is an incorrect answer that refers to a diﬀerent condition that aﬀects hemoglobin levels, not blood pressure. Physiologic anemia is a condition where the maternal plasma volume increases more than the red blood cell mass during pregnancy, which dilutes the hemoglobin concentration and lowers the hematocrit value. Physiologic anemia does not cause significant symptoms or complications in pregnant women, as it is an adaptive mechanism that enhances oxygen delivery and prevents ﬂuid overload.

Choice B Reason: Pressure of the gravid uterus on the maternal inferior vena cava and aorta. This is because this statement explains the cause of supine hypotensive syndrome, which is a condition where lying ﬂat on the back causes compression of the major blood vessels by the gravid uterus, which reduces venous return and cardiac output, which lowers blood pressure and perfusion to vital organs. Supine hypotensive syndrome can cause symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, pallor, or syncope in pregnant women, especially in the third trimester.

Choice C Reason: Pressure of the presenting fetal part on the maternal diaphragm. This is an incorrect answer that indicates a diﬀerent condition that aﬀects respiratory function, not blood pressure. Pressure of the presenting fetal part on the maternal diaphragm is a result of cephalic engagement or lightening, which occurs when the fetal head descends into the pelvis and occupies more space in the abdominal cavity. Pressure of the presenting fetal part on the maternal diaphragm can cause symptoms such as dyspnea, heartburn, or rib pain in pregnant women.

Choice D Reason: A 50% increase in maternal blood volume during pregnancy. This is an incorrect answer that describes a normal physiological change that occurs during pregnancy, not a cause of supine hypotensive syndrome. A 50% increase in maternal blood volume during pregnancy is due to increased production of plasma and red blood cells, which helps meet the increased oxygen and nutrient demands of the fetus and placenta, and prepares the mother for blood loss during delivery. A 50% increase in maternal blood volume during pregnancy does not cause hypotension or dizziness in pregnant women.

A. Continuing to monitor and document fetal heart rate. B. Changing the mother's position to left lateral and giving oxygen by nasal cannula. C. With a sterile glove, maintaining pressure to lift the presenting part and emergently notifying the provider for a STAT C-section. D. Bolusing the patient with 1000cc lactated ringers

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A Reason: Continuing to monitor and document fetal heart rate. This is an inadequate response that does not address the urgency of the situation or intervene to prevent fetal distress or demise.

Choice B Reason: Changing the mother's position to left lateral and giving oxygen by nasal cannula. This is a partial response that may improve maternal-fetal blood ﬂow and oxygenation, but it does not resolve the cord compression or facilitate delivery.

Choice C Reason: With a sterile glove, maintaining pressure to lift the presenting part and emergently notifying the provider for a STAT C-section. This is an appropriate response that aims to reduce the cord compression by elevating the fetal head away from the cord and prepare for an immediate cesarean delivery.

Choice D Reason: Bolusing the patient with 1000cc lactated ringers. This is an irrelevant response that does not address the cause of the problem or improve fetal outcome.

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A woman who is 12 hours postpartum had a pulse rate around 80 beats per minute during pregnancy. Now, the nurse finds a pulse of 60 beats per minute. Which of these actions should the nurse take? Select one:

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A woman who is 12 hours postpartum had a pulse rate around 80 beats per minute during pregnancy. Now, the nurse finds a pulse of 60 beats per minute. Which of these actions should the nurse take?
Select one: