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
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["C","E","H","I"]
Explanation
Findings that require follow-up:
Uterus boggy at 24 hr postpartum:
A boggy uterus indicates poor uterine contraction, which can lead to postpartum hemorrhage. Effective uterine contraction is crucial to prevent excessive bleeding after delivery, and this finding warrants immediate intervention, such as fundal massage or administering uterotonic medications.
Lochia rubra with foul odor:
Foul-smelling lochia is a sign of potential infection, often indicative of endometritis, which is an infection of the uterine lining. The presence of this odor requires prompt follow-up and possibly antibiotic treatment to prevent further complications.
Elevated temperature (38.3°C/100.9°F) at 24 hr postpartum:
A postpartum fever may indicate infection, such as endometritis or a urinary tract infection (UTI). This fever should be investigated further to determine the cause and appropriate treatment, as untreated infections can lead to serious complications.
Increased heart rate (105/min) at 24 hr postpartum:
Tachycardia in the postpartum period can be a sign of infection or early signs of hemodynamic instability, possibly due to blood loss or infection. Close monitoring is necessary, and the healthcare provider should be notified to evaluate the cause and initiate treatment if necessary.
Correct Answer is ["3.6"]
Explanation
Given:
Desired dose: Ceftazidime 1 g IM every 6 hours
Available concentration: Ceftazidime 280 mg/mL
To find:
Volume to administer (in mL)
Step 1: Convert desired dose to milligrams
1 gram (g) is equal to 1000 milligrams (mg).
Multiply by 1000:
Desired dose (mg) = Desired dose (g) x 1000
Desired dose (mg) = 1 g x 1000 = 1000 mg
Step 2: Set up the proportion
We can use the following proportion to solve the problem:
(Desired dose) / (Available concentration) = Volume to administer
Step 3: Substitute the values
Plugging in the given values, we get:
(1000 mg) / (280 mg/mL) = Volume to administer
Step 4: Simplify
To simplify, we can invert the denominator and multiply:
(1000 mg) x (1 mL / 280 mg) = Volume to administer
The "mg" units cancel out, leaving us with:
(1000 x 1 mL) / 280 = Volume to administer
Step 5: Calculate
Performing the multiplication and division, we get:
1000 mL / 280 = Volume to administer
3.57 mL ≈ Volume to administer
Step 6: Round to the nearest tenth
3.6mL
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