When caring for a postpartum client the nurse notes that the client's perineal pad is saturated with bright red blood. What is the priority question to ask the client?

A. Assess motor function in lower extremities: While important for overall neurological assessment, immediate post-repair monitoring of motor function is secondary to monitoring for signs of hydrocephalus (head circumference).
B. Maintain skin integrity: Essential for preventing infection but does not address the immediate post-surgical complication of hydrocephalus.
C. Monitor intake and output: Important for general post-operative care but does not address the immediate concern of monitoring for hydrocephalus.
D. Monitor head circumference: Following repair of a myelomeningocele, infants are at risk for developing hydrocephalus due to abnormal cerebrospinal fluid dynamics. Monitoring head circumference helps detect early signs of increased intracranial pressure, a common complication post-surgery.

A. Establish IV access: Although important for hydration and medication administration, it is not the immediate priority when assessing the fetal condition.
B. Assess the client's vital signs: While important, the immediate assessment of fetal well-being takes precedence to ensure there is no fetal distress.
C. Obtain fetal heart rate: This is crucial to assess the fetus’s condition immediately. Monitoring the fetal heart rate can identify any signs of distress and determine if urgent interventions are necessary.
D. Perform a sterile vaginal exam: This should follow the fetal heart rate assessment to check for labor progress and any complications, but it is not the first priority.