A nurse in a hospital is caring for a client who is 4 hour postpartum. Which of the following interventions should the nurse first perform after finding that the client's uterus is not firm? (Select All that Apply.)

Ask the client to empty their bladder

Perform fundal massage

Nothing, this is an expected finding

Ambulate the client in the hallway

Give pain medications

Answer and Explanation

Correct Answer : A,B

A) Ask the client to empty their bladder:
One of the first actions the nurse should take when the uterus is not firm (often referred to as uterine atony) is to ask the client to empty their bladder. A full bladder can interfere with uterine contraction and cause the uterus to be boggy or soft, which can lead to postpartum hemorrhage. Encouraging the client to void may help the uterus contract more effectively and reduce the risk of complications.

B) Perform fundal massage:
If the uterus is not firm, performing a fundal massage is essential. Fundal massage helps stimulate uterine contractions and helps the uterus contract to its normal size, reducing the risk of bleeding. It is a critical intervention in postpartum care to ensure that the uterus remains firm and does not become atonic, which can cause excessive blood loss.

C) Nothing, this is an expected finding:
A soft uterus (uterine atony) is not an expected finding 4 hours postpartum. A firm uterus is expected at this point to prevent hemorrhage. The nurse should take immediate action to address the issue of uterine atony, as failure to do so can lead to significant postpartum hemorrhage, a life-threatening complication.

D) Ambulate the client in the hallway:
Ambulation may be helpful later in the postpartum period to encourage circulation and prevent thromboembolism, but it is not a priority when the uterus is not firm. The first priority is to address uterine atony, and actions like emptying the bladder and massaging the fundus should be performed before ambulating the client.

E) Give pain medications:
While pain management is important, it is not the priority intervention when the uterus is not firm. The nurse must first address the cause of uterine atony (such as bladder distention) and stimulate uterine contractions via fundal massage to ensure that the uterus is firm and the client is not at risk for excessive bleeding. Pain medications can be given once the immediate uterine concerns have been addressed.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A) Dry and stimulate newborn with towel:
Drying and stimulating the newborn immediately after birth is a standard practice to prevent heat loss and promote early bonding. This action helps to prevent heat loss through evaporation and stimulates the newborn to breathe. It is an appropriate intervention to reduce the risk of hypothermia, not increase it.

B) Place a hat on the newborn's head:
Placing a hat on the newborn’s head is an appropriate and helpful intervention. Since a significant amount of heat is lost through the head, especially in newborns who have a larger surface area relative to their body mass, keeping the head covered with a hat helps to retain warmth and reduce the risk of hypothermia. This would not place the newborn at risk for hypothermia.

C) Maintain the delivery room temperature at 20° C (68° F):
A delivery room temperature of 20° C (68° F) is on the lower end of the recommended range for newborn care. Newborns are particularly susceptible to heat loss due to their high surface area-to-body weight ratio and immature thermoregulation system. A cooler environment like 20°C increases the risk of hypothermia, as the newborn will lose heat more quickly than it can generate on its own.

D) Place a blanket on top of maternal and newborn:
Placing a blanket over the mother and newborn is an appropriate intervention to prevent heat loss. This promotes warmth by reducing heat loss from the newborn's body surface to the cooler environment. This would not place the newborn at risk for hypothermia; instead, it helps to maintain body temperature.

A. Check fetal heart rate B. instruct her to bare down with the next contraction C. Place her legs in stirrups D. Test a sample of the amniotic fluid for meconium

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A) Check fetal heart rate:
The first priority when a woman's membranes spontaneously rupture is to assess fetal well-being. The nurse should immediately check the fetal heart rate (FHR) after the rupture of membranes to evaluate for any signs of fetal distress. If there are any concerns regarding the FHR, further interventions may be needed, such as adjusting the maternal position or preparing for a possible emergent delivery. Monitoring the FHR will help guide subsequent decisions regarding care.

B) Instruct her to bear down with the next contraction:
While the second stage of labor involves pushing, it is important to wait for the appropriate signs of readiness before instructing the mother to bear down. The nurse should ensure the cervix is fully dilated and that fetal descent is progressing appropriately. Rushing into pushing too early or without proper readiness can lead to maternal and fetal complications.

C) Place her legs in stirrups:
Placing the mother’s legs in stirrups is typically done once she is in the active phase of pushing (typically when the cervix is fully dilated and fetal descent is ready). It is not the first priority immediately after the membranes rupture. The nurse should first assess the fetal heart rate and ensure the woman is comfortable and ready to push before assuming the lithotomy position or placing her legs in stirrups.

D) Test a sample of the amniotic fluid for meconium:
Testing the amniotic fluid for meconium should be done if there is concern that the amniotic fluid may be stained, as meconium in the amniotic fluid can be a sign of fetal distress. However, the first action after the membranes rupture is to check the fetal heart rate. If the FHR is normal, further actions, like testing the fluid, may follow, but the priority remains assessing fetal well-being.

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A nurse in a hospital is caring for a client who is 4 hour postpartum. Which of the following interventions should the nurse first perform after finding that the client's uterus is not firm? (Select All that Apply.)

Nursing Test Bank

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Correct Answer is C

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