A nurse is assisting with the care of a newborn 1 hr after birth.

Select the 5 findings that the nurse should report to the provider.

Choice A:

Document fundal height. This is a correct action because the nurse should monitor the involution of the uterus by measuring the fundal height and comparing it to the expected level. The fundus should descend about one fingerbreadth (1 cm) per day after delivery and be at the level of the umbilicus immediately after birth.

Choice B:

Observe the lochia during palpation of the fundus. This is a correct action because the nurse should assess the amount, color, and consistency of the lochia (vaginal discharge) during the fundal massage. The lochia should change from rubra (red) to serosa (pink) to alba (white) over time and not increase in amount or revert to a previous stage.

Choice C:

Massage a firm fundus. This is an incorrect action because a firm fundus indicates adequate uterine contraction and involution. Massaging a firm fundus can cause discomfort and bleeding for the client. The nurse should only massage a boggy (soft) fundus to stimulate contraction and prevent hemorrhage.

Choice D:

Determine whether the fundus is midline. This is a correct action because the nurse should check if the fundus is deviated to either side, which may indicate a full bladder. A full bladder can interfere with uterine contraction and cause bleeding or infection. The nurse should assist the client to void if the fundus is not midline.

Choice E:

Administer terbutaline if the fundus is boggy. This is an incorrect action because terbutaline is a tocolytic drug that relaxes the uterine muscle and inhibits contractions. It is used to stop preterm labor, not to treat postpartum hemorrhage. The nurse should administer oxytocin or other uterotonic drugs if the fundus is boggy and does not respond to massage.

Choice A reason:

Fetal heart rate irregularities are not a sign of hydatidiform mole, as this condition involves an abnormal fertilization of the egg that results in an abnormal or absent fetus.

Choice B reason:

A hydatidiform mole is more commonly associated with dark brown to bright red vaginal bleeding, not whitish discharge. The bleeding may resemble prune juice and is often a sign of the abnormality.

Choice C reason:

Rapidly dropping human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels are not a sign of hydatidiform mole, as this condition causes very high levels of hCG due to the proliferation of trophoblastic tissue.

Choice D reason:

In a hydatidiform mole, the uterus often enlarges more rapidly than expected for the gestational age due to the overgrowth of trophoblastic tissue and the accumulation of fluid-filled vesicles. This excessive uterine enlargement is a key sign that could indicate the presence of a molar pregnancy.