An unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) reports to the charge nurse that a client who delivered a 7-pound (3,175 gram) infant 12 hours ago is reporting a severe headache. The client's blood pressure is 110/70 mm Hg, respiratory rate is 18 breaths/minute, heart rate is 74 beats/minute, and temperature is 98.6° F (37° C). The client's fundus is firm and one fingerbreadth above the umbilicus. Which action should the charge nurse implement first?
Assign a practical nurse (PN) to reassess the client's vital signs.
Obtain a STAT hemoglobin and hematocrit
Notify the healthcare provider of the assessment findings
Determine if the client received anesthesia during delivery
The Correct Answer is C
A. Assign a practical nurse (PN) to reassess the client's vital signs:
While reassessing vital signs is important, the reported severe headache after delivery is a symptom that requires immediate attention. It's more appropriate for a licensed professional, such as the nurse or healthcare provider, to assess and decide the course of action.
B. Obtain a STAT hemoglobin and hematocrit:
While assessing hemoglobin and hematocrit can provide information about potential postpartum hemorrhage, it may not be the first action needed in this context. The severe headache suggests a possible neurological concern that should be addressed promptly.
C. Notify the healthcare provider of the assessment findings:
This is the most appropriate initial action. Severe headache after delivery, especially if the client had received anesthesia, could be indicative of post-dural puncture headache (PDPH). Prompt notification allows the healthcare provider to assess and decide on the necessary interventions.
D. Determine if the client received anesthesia during delivery:
Knowing the type of anesthesia is important for understanding potential complications. However, this information alone might not guide immediate actions. The focus should be on addressing the reported severe headache promptly.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Encourage voiding:A boggy uterus that is displaced above and to the right of the umbilicus often indicates that the bladder may be distended, which can push the uterus out of its normal position and prevent it from contracting properly. Encouraging the client to void can help to reduce bladder distension and allow the uterus to return to its normal position and firm up.
Notify healthcare provider:While this may ultimately be necessary if the problem persists or other complications are noted, the immediate action should be to address the most common cause of uterine displacement, which is bladder distension.
Inspect the perineal pad:
Checking the perineal pad can give clues about the amount of lochia (postpartum vaginal discharge). However, in this scenario, the priority lies in addressing the potential uterine atony.
Monitor vital signs:
While it's important to monitor vital signs, especially in postpartum clients, the priority here is recognizing and managing the potential uterine atony.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Request a return demonstration of a diaper change:While it's useful for parents to know how to change a diaper, feeding is more critical for the infant’s health and development in the early days.
B. Evaluate infant feeding techniques prior to discharge:Ensuring that the parents understand how to properly feed their newborn is crucial. Proper feeding techniques are essential for the infant's nutrition, growth, and development. Issues with feeding can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and other health problems. Therefore, this is the most important intervention.
C. Provide the results of the infant's hearing test to the parents:Sharing the results of the hearing test is important, but it is less immediate compared to ensuring that the infant is properly fed.
D. Ensure that they have the pediatric clinic's phone number:
While it is important for parents to have contact information for follow-up care, it is secondary to ensuring they can feed their baby properly.
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