A nurse is assisting a client who is postpartum with her first breastfeeding experience. When the client asks how much of the nipple she should put into the baby's mouth, which of the following responses by the nurse is appropriate?

Choice A reason: Administer terbutaline if the fundus is boggy is incorrect, as this action is contraindicated for a client who has a boggy fundus. Terbutaline is a tocolytic agent that can relax uterine contractions and worsen uterine atony and hemorrhage. The nurse should administer oxytocin or other uterotonic agents as prescribed to stimulate uterine contraction and prevent bleeding.

Choice B reason: Observe the lochia during palpation of fundus is correct, as this action can provide information about the amount, color, consistency, and odor of lochia. Lochia is the vaginal discharge that occurs after birth, which consists of blood, mucus, and tissue. The nurse should observe the lochia during fundal palpation and report any abnormal findings, such as excessive bleeding, large clots, foul smell, or infection.

Choice C reason: Document fundal height is correct, as this action can provide information about the progress of uterine involution. The fundus is the upper part of the uterus that can be palpated through the abdomen after birth. The nurse should document the fundal height in relation to the umbilicus and note any changes over time.

Choice D reason: Massage a firm fundus is incorrect, as this action is not necessary for a client who has a firm fundus. A firm fundus indicates adequate uterine contraction and involution and prevents excessive bleeding. The nurse should massage a boggy or soft fundus until it becomes firm and midline.

Choice E reason: Determine whether the fundus is midline is correct, as this action can provide information about the position of the uterus and bladder. The fundus should be midline and not displaced to either side. A deviated fundus can indicate bladder distension, which can interfere with uterine contraction and involution and increase the risk of hemorrhage and infection. The nurse should assist the client to empty their bladder and reassess the fundal position.

Choice A reason: A precipitous birth is a delivery that occurs in less than 3 hours from the onset of labor. This can cause uterine atony, which is the failure of the uterus to contract and compress the blood vessels after the placenta is delivered. Uterine atony is the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage²³.

Choice B reason: A small for gestational age newborn is not a risk factor for postpartum hemorrhage. It may be associated with other conditions, such as placental insufficiency or intrauterine growth restriction, but these do not directly increase the risk of bleeding after delivery.

Choice C reason: A two-vessel umbilical cord is a cord that has one artery and one vein instead of the normal two arteries and one vein. This can be a marker for congenital anomalies or placental abnormalities, but it does not increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage by itself.

Choice D reason: Gestational hypertension is a condition where the blood pressure rises above 140/90 mm Hg after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It can lead to complications such as preeclampsia, eclampsia, or HELLP syndrome, which can affect the clotting system and cause bleeding disorders. However, gestational hypertension alone does not increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage unless it is associated with these severe conditions¹⁴.