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.
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).
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason: "You would have seen more symptoms if you had been looking more closely at your baby." This is an inappropriate response that blames the parents for missing the signs of sepsis and does not explain the Reason for the subtle symptoms.
Choice B Reason: "A newborn's immune system isn't mature, so symptoms are subtle and can be hard to recognize." This is an appropriate response that educates the parents about the immunological basis of sepsis in newborns and reassures them that they are not at fault for not noticing the symptoms.
Choice C Reason: "A high fever will always be present in sick newborns, including your baby." This is an incorrect response that contradicts the fact that newborns may not develop fever in response to infection due to their immature immune systems.
Choice D Reason: "A mother's immunity usually protects the infant from illness, but not in this case." This is an inaccurate response that implies that the mother failed to provide adequate immunity to her baby and does not address the question of why the baby did not seem very ill.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason: Maintain the client on strict bedrest. This is an inappropriate action that may worsen the client's condition and increase her isolation and depression. Postpartum psychosis requires prompt psychiatric treatment with medication and psychotherapy, not bedrest.
Choice B Reason: Carefully monitor intake and output. This is an irrelevant action that has no direct relation to postpartum psychosis or its management. Monitoring intake and output may be indicated for other postpartum complications such as hemorrhage, infection, or preeclampsia.
Choice C Reason: Restrict visitation of the client's partner. This is an unnecessary action that may deprive the client of social support and emotional comfort. The partner may be an important source of help and information for the client and the health care team. The partner should be involved in the client's care and education, unless there are signs of abuse or violence.
Choice D Reason: Closely supervise all infant care and interaction. This is because postpartum psychosis is a severe mental disorder that occurs in some women after childbirth, which can cause delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, mood swings, confusion, and suicidal or homicidal thoughts. Postpartum psychosis can pose a danger to both the mother and the infant, as the mother may harm herself or the infant due to distorted perceptions or impulses. The nurse should closely supervise all infant care and interaction to ensure safety and prevent injury.
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