A nurse is caring for a client who had a vaginal birth 2 hr ago and has soaked two perineal pads in the past 30 min. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Assist the client to a sitz bath.
Assess the client's uterine tone.
Encourage the client to breastfeed.
Apply an ice pack to the client's perineum.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale:
Assisting the client to a sitz bath is not the priority action in this situation. The client has soaked two perineal pads in the past 30 minutes, indicating excessive bleeding, which requires immediate attention.
Choice B rationale:
Assessing the client's uterine tone is essential to determine if the uterus is contracting appropriately. Uterine atony, where the uterus fails to contract after childbirth, is a common cause of postpartum hemorrhage. Assessing the tone helps identify this issue and allows for timely interventions.
Choice C rationale:
Encouraging the client to breastfeed may have benefits such as promoting uterine contractions through oxytocin release. However, the priority in this scenario is addressing the potential postpartum hemorrhage.
Choice D rationale:
Applying an ice pack to the client's perineum may provide comfort, but it does not address the concerning symptom of excessive bleeding and potential postpartum hemorrhage.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Palpating the client's uterine fundus is the priority intervention because excessive postpartum bleeding could indicate uterine atony, where the uterus fails to contract effectively. Assessing the fundus will help determine if it is boggy and if fundal massage is needed to promote uterine contraction and reduce bleeding.
B. Assisting the client to urinate is an important intervention if the bladder is distended, as a full bladder can prevent the uterus from contracting properly. However, palpating the fundus to assess the source of bleeding takes priority over assisting with urination.
C. Preparing to administer oxytocic medication may be necessary if the uterine fundus is boggy and does not respond to massage, but the first step is to assess the fundus and attempt manual intervention before proceeding with medication.
D. Increasing the client's fluid intake can help maintain circulation and prevent dehydration, but it does not address the immediate concern of postpartum hemorrhage. Palpating the fundus is the priority action in this scenario
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Vitamin E is important for overall health but does not need to be specifically increased during pregnancy.
B. Vitamin D supports calcium absorption, but routine intake is generally sufficient unless a deficiency exists.
C. Fiber intake should be increased during pregnancy to help prevent constipation, which is a common issue due to hormonal changes and slowed gastrointestinal motility.
D. Calcium intake is important, but for many clients, standard dietary recommendations are adequate unless otherwise prescribed.
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