A nurse is assessing a client who has postpartum hemorrhage.
Which of the following findings is an early sign of hypovolemic shock?
Tachycardia
Hypotension
Oliguria
Pallor
The Correct Answer is A
Tachycardia is an early sign of hypovolemic shock, which is a life-threatening condition caused by excessive blood loss. Tachycardia is the body’s attempt to compensate for the reduced blood volume and maintain adequate blood pressure and perfusion to vital organs.
Choice B. Hypotension is wrong because it is a late sign of hypovolemic shock, indicating severe blood loss and decompensation.
Hypotension can lead to organ failure and death if not corrected promptly.
Choice C. Oliguria is wrong because it is not a specific sign of hypovolemic shock, but rather a consequence of reduced renal perfusion due to low blood pressure and volume.
Oliguria can also be caused by other factors such as dehydration, urinary tract obstruction, or renal disease.
Choice D. Pallor is wrong because it is not a reliable sign of hypovolemic shock, as it can be influenced by skin color, temperature, and lighting conditions.
Pallor can also occur in other conditions such as anemia, hypoxia, or vasovagal syncope.
Normal ranges for vital signs in postpartum women are:
• Heart rate: 60-100 beats per minute
• Blood pressure
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
This is because a low platelet count (<150,000/mm3) indicates thrombocytopenia, which can increase the risk of bleeding and hemorrhage.
The nurse should report this finding to the provider as it may require treatment or transfusion.
Choice A is wrong because hemoglobin 10 g/dL is within the normal range for postpartum women (10-14 g/dL) and does not indicate hemorrhage.
Choice B is wrong because hematocrit 30% is also within the normal range for postpartum women (30-39%) and does not indicate hemorrhage.
Choice D is wrong because white blood cells 12,000/mm3 is slightly elevated but not abnormal for postpartum women, who may have a physiological leukocytosis due to stress, inflammation, or infection.
This finding does not indicate hemorrhage.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Having a history of fibroids can increase the risk of bleeding, but not postpartum hemorrhage.Fibroids are benign tumors that grow in the uterus and can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, but they do not affect the placenta or the uterus after delivery.
Choice A is wrong because having a large baby can increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage.
A large baby can overstretch the uterine muscle and cause atony, which is the failure of the uterus to contract properly after delivery.Atony is the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage.
Choice B is wrong because having a prolonged labor can increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage.
A prolonged labor can exhaust the uterine muscle and impair its ability to contract after delivery.This can also lead to atony and excessive bleeding.
Choice D is wrong because having a low-lying placenta can increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage.
A low-lying placenta, also called placenta previa, is when the placenta covers part of the cervix. This condition can increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage, which is excessive bleeding after childbirth.
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