A nurse has been monitoring a client who gave birth vaginally 8 hours ago.

Based on the nurse’s notes at 0700 and 1100, select the three findings that necessitate immediate follow-up.

Choice A rationale
Vacuum-assisted delivery is indeed a risk factor for postpartum hemorrhage. This method of delivery can cause trauma to the birth canal, which can lead to increased bleeding after delivery.
Choice B rationale
A history of human papillomavirus (HPV) is not typically associated with an increased risk of postpartum hemorrhage.
Choice C rationale
The newborn’s weight, whether high or low, is not typically considered a risk factor for postpartum hemorrhage.
Choice D rationale
Labor induction with oxytocin is a risk factor for postpartum hemorrhage. Oxytocin is a drug that can cause the uterus to contract too much, leading to uterine atony (a condition where the uterus doesn’t contract properly after birth), which can result in postpartum hemorrhage.

Choice A rationale
The newborn’s symptoms of jitteriness, weak cry, mottled extremities with acrocyanosis, and rapid, unlabored respirations are indicative of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia in the newborn period can be caused by several factors, including maternal diabetes (gestational or pre- existing), preterm birth, and sepsis. The nurse should take actions to address this condition, such as ensuring the newborn is warm, initiating early feeding to provide the newborn with glucose, and monitoring blood glucose levels.
Choice B rationale
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is a group of problems that occur in a newborn who was exposed to addictive opiate drugs while in the mother’s womb. NAS can cause a wide range of symptoms such as excessive crying, poor feeding, and seizures. However, the symptoms described in the question are more indicative of hypoglycemia.
Choice C rationale
Cold stress can occur in newborns who are unable to maintain their body temperature within a normal range. While some of the symptoms described, such as mottled skin and acrocyanosis, can occur with cold stress, the presence of jitteriness and a weak cry are more indicative of hypoglycemia.
Choice D rationale
Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) is a common problem in premature babies and is caused by a lack of surfactant in the lungs. While rapid, unlabored respirations can be a sign of RDS, the other symptoms described in the question, such as jitteriness and a weak cry, are not typically associated with RDS2.