A nurse is caring for a newborn who had a circumcision 4 hr ago.During a diaper change, the nurse notes bright red blood oozing from the incision.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A rationale

Securing a clean diaper snugly across the newborn's penis might help manage minor bleeding but won't effectively address active oozing of bright red blood from a circumcision site.

Choice B rationale

Applying gentle pressure using a sterile dry gauze pad is the appropriate action to control bleeding. Applying direct pressure helps to stop the bleeding and allows for proper assessment of the wound.

Choice C rationale

Rinsing the newborn's penis with cool water might provide temporary relief but is not an effective method to control bleeding from a surgical site. It may also increase the risk of infection if not done sterilely.

Choice D rationale

Placing petroleum jelly on the bleeding site is typically done to prevent the diaper from sticking to the incision, but it is not sufficient to control active bleeding. .

1. Encourage frequent ambulation - Anticipated
   • Ambulation can help progress labor and is generally encouraged if there are no contraindications.
2. Ensure the client maintains a supine position while in bed - Contraindicated
   • Supine positioning can decrease uteroplacental blood flow and is generally not recommended during labor.
3. Check FHR every 30 min - Anticipated
   • Regular monitoring of the fetal heart rate is essential to assess fetal well-being during labor.
4. Perform a Nitrazine test - Anticipated
   • Since the client reports a gush of fluid, a Nitrazine test can help confirm whether the membranes have ruptured.
5. Prepare the client for catheterization - Nonessential
   • The client has voided recently and doesn’t indicate difficulty, making catheterization unnecessary at this stage.
6. Obtain CBC blood sample - Anticipated
   • A CBC can provide important information about the client's health status and identify any potential issues, like infection or anemia.
7. Check the client's temperature every hour - Anticipated
   • Regularly monitoring temperature can help detect signs of infection, which is particularly important if the membranes have ruptured.