A nurse is caring for a postpartum client who reports heavy vaginal bleeding and passing large clots since delivery 2 days ago.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Assess vital signs
Palpate fundus
dminister oxytocin as prescribed.
Check perineal pad.
The Correct Answer is B
The correct answer is choice B. Palpate fundus. The nurse should first assess the tone of the uterus by palpating the fundus, as uterine atony is the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage.
If the uterus is boggy or soft, the nurse should massage it gently until it becomes firm and contracts.
This will help control the bleeding from the placental site.
Choice A is wrong because assessing vital signs is not the first priority in this situation. Vital signs may not reflect the severity of blood loss until late in the process of hemorrhage.
The nurse should monitor vital signs after ensuring that the uterus is contracted.
Choice C is wrong because administering oxytocin as prescribed is not the first action the nurse should take.
Oxytocin is a medication that stimulates uterine contractions and reduces bleeding, but it should be given
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A) Encourage fluid intake to promote hydration.
This is because hydration helps to flush out the infection and prevent dehydration from fever.
Fluid intake also supports milk production for breastfeeding.
Choice B) Instruct the client to avoid ambulation until symptoms resolve is wrong because ambulation promotes blood circulation and prevents thrombosis.
Ambulation also helps to expel lochia and reduce uterine cramping.
Choice C) Administer analgesics as prescribed to manage pain is correct but not the best answer.
Pain management is important for comfort and healing, but it does not address the underlying infection.
Choice D) Instruct the client to avoid breastfeeding until symptoms resolve is wrong because breastfeeding helps to contract the uterus and prevent bleeding.
Breastfeeding also provides immunity and nutrition to the newborn.
The infection is not transmitted through breast milk.
Choice E) Encourage frequent voiding is correct but not the best answer.
Frequent voiding helps to prevent urinary tract infections and bladder distension.
However, it does not directly affect the endometrial infection.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is D) Decreased white blood cell count.Postpartum endometritis is an infection of the lining of the uterus that causes fever, abdominal pain, uterine tenderness and sometimes discharge.It is usually caused by bacteria from the lower genital or gastrointestinal tract.White blood cell count is a marker of inflammation and infection, so a decreased white blood cell count indicates that the treatment is effective and the infection is resolving.
A) Decreased vaginal bleeding is not a sign of effective treatment for postpartum endometritis.
Vaginal bleeding after delivery is normal and gradually decreases over time.It is not related to the infection of the uterus.
B) Increased abdominal pain is a sign of worsening infection, not effective treatment.Abdominal pain is one of the symptoms of postpartum endometritis and should improve with antibiotic therapy.
C) Increased temperature is also a sign of worsening infection, not effective treatment.Fever is another symptom of postpartum endometritis and should decrease with antibiotic therapy.
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