A nurse is performing an assessment on a postpartum patient.
The uterus is found to be displaced to the right.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Action A.
Action B.
Action C.
Action D.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale:
Placing the mother in Trendelenburg's position would not correct the uterine displacement. Trendelenburg's position involves
lowering the head of the bed and raising the feet, which can actually worsen uterine displacement by increasing pressure on
the uterus from the abdominal organs.
It is not indicated for uterine displacement and could potentially have adverse effects on the patient's hemodynamic status
and respiratory function.
Choice C rationale:
Notifying the physician is important, but it is not the first action the nurse should take.
The nurse should assess the patient and attempt to correct the displacement before notifying the physician.
Choice D rationale:
Recording the findings is important for documentation, but it is not an intervention that will correct the uterine displacement.
Choice B rationale:
Massaging the fundus is the correct action to take when a postpartum uterus is displaced.
The fundus is the top of the uterus, and massaging it can help to stimulate the uterine muscles to contract and return to their
normal position.
This is often effective in correcting mild to moderate uterine displacements.
Here are the steps involved in massaging the fundus:
Locate the fundus: The nurse should first locate the fundus by palpating the abdomen just below the umbilicus.
Apply gentle pressure: Once the fundus is located, the nurse should apply gentle pressure with the fingertips in a circular
motion.
Continue massaging: The massage should be continued for several minutes, or until the uterus is felt to be firm and in the
midline position.
Additional notes:
If the uterine displacement is severe, or if the patient is experiencing pain or bleeding, the nurse should notify the physician
immediately.
Other interventions that may be used to correct uterine displacement include:
Assisting the patient to empty her bladder
Straight catheterization
Administration of oxytocin to stimulate uterine contractions
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
A full bladder can displace the uterus to the right and interfere with its ability to contract properly. This can lead to
postpartum hemorrhage, a serious complication that can occur after childbirth.
Emptying the bladder helps to reposition the uterus in the midline and allows it to contract more effectively. This helps to
prevent postpartum hemorrhage and promotes uterine involution, the process by which the uterus returns to its pre-
pregnancy size.
In this case, the client's fundus is firm, which indicates that it is contracting well. However, it is slightly deviated to the right,
which suggests that the bladder may be full.
Asking the client to empty her bladder is a simple and effective way to address this potential problem.
Choice B rationale:
Repeating the client's temperature evaluation is not a priority action in this case. The client's vital signs are within normal
limits, and there is no indication of infection.
A temperature elevation could be a sign of infection, but it is not the most likely cause of the uterine deviation in this case.
Choice C rationale:
Encouraging the client to nurse more frequently may be helpful in stimulating milk production and uterine contractions.
However, it is not the most immediate priority in this case.
The client's breasts are soft, which suggests that she is not yet producing a significant amount of milk.
The priority is to address the potential problem of a full bladder, which could interfere with uterine involution.
Choice D rationale:
Checking for signs of a urinary tract infection is not a priority action in this case. The client does not have any urinary
symptoms, such as dysuria or frequency.
A urinary tract infection could cause a uterine deviation, but it is not the most likely cause in this case.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Gestational hypertension is a condition characterized by elevated blood pressure during pregnancy. While it can increase the
risk of certain complications, it is not directly associated with an increased risk of postpartum hemorrhage. This is because
gestational hypertension primarily affects the vascular system, not the uterine muscle function, which is responsible for
controlling postpartum bleeding.
Choice B rationale:
A small for gestational age newborn (SGA) is a baby who is smaller than expected for their gestational age. While SGA can be
associated with some pregnancy complications, it is not a direct risk factor for postpartum hemorrhage. The size of the baby
does not have a significant impact on the ability of the uterus to contract and prevent excessive bleeding after delivery.
Choice C rationale:
Precipitous birth is defined as a labor that progresses very rapidly, with delivery occurring within three hours or less of the
onset of regular contractions. This rapid progression of labor can lead to postpartum hemorrhage for several reasons:
Uterine atony: The uterus may not have enough time to contract effectively after a rapid delivery, leading to increased
bleeding.
Lacerations and trauma: The rapid passage of the baby through the birth canal can increase the risk of tearing of the cervix,
vagina, or perineum, which can contribute to blood loss.
Retained placenta: The placenta may not separate from the uterine wall as easily after a precipitous birth, increasing the risk
of hemorrhage.
Choice D rationale:
A two-vessel umbilical cord is a variation in which the umbilical cord contains only two blood vessels (one vein and one
artery) instead of the usual three (one vein and two arteries). While this can be associated with certain fetal anomalies, it is not
a direct risk factor for postpartum hemorrhage. The number of blood vessels in the umbilical cord does not significantly
impact the ability of the uterus to contract and prevent bleeding after delivery.
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