A nurse is caring for a 28-year-old female client in the fourth stage of labor after a vaginal delivery in the labor and delivery unit.
History and Physical: The client is a Gravida 3 Para 2 (T2P0A0L2) with chronic hypertension. She was admitted for medical induction of labor due to gestational diabetes with a Bishop score of 9 on admission. The plan was to induce labor with oxytocin.
Vital Signs:
1130:
- Blood Pressure: 144/92 mmHg
- Pulse: 99 bpm
- Respirations: 17/min
- Temperature: 100.4°F (38.0°C)
- Pulse Ox: 97%
Nurses Notes: At 1040, the client underwent a vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery of a viable female infant weighing 4215 grams. The placenta was manually extracted at 1035, appearing intact. At 1130, the fundus was boggy, midline, and at the umbilicus. Lochia rubra was heavy with small clots noted. The IV was patent and currently infusing ordered oxytocin.
Diagnostic Tests:
- Hemoglobin: 11g/dL (9.5-11 g/dL)
- Hematocrit: 33% (28-33%)
- White Blood Cell Count: 12,000/mm³ (5,600-17,000/mm³)
- Platelets: 151,000/mm³ (140,000-400,000/mm³)
- Protein Creatinine Ratio: 0.01 (less than 0.3)
- HbA1c: 8.9% (less than 5.7%)
Querry: Which of the following assessment findings require follow-up? Select All That Apply.
Temperature
Fundal tone
Lochia
Respiratory rate
White blood cell count
Blood pressure
Correct Answer : A,B,C,F
Choice A rationale:
A postpartum temperature of 100.4°F (38.0°C) or higher may indicate an infection. Infections can occur after delivery, particularly if there was a manual extraction of the placenta, as in
this case. Close monitoring and further assessment are necessary to ensure the client does not develop sepsis or other complications.
Choice B rationale:
Fundal tone should be firm and well-contracted to prevent excessive bleeding postpartum. A boggy, midline fundus suggests that the uterus is not contracting effectively, increasing the
risk for postpartum hemorrhage. This requires immediate attention and intervention to ensure adequate uterine tone and control bleeding.
Choice C rationale:
Lochia should be monitored for quantity, color, and the presence of clots. Heavy lochia with small clots indicates that the client may be experiencing postpartum hemorrhage, which is a
significant concern. This can be related to uterine atony, retained placental fragments, or coagulopathies and warrants prompt evaluation and intervention.
Choice D rationale:
A respiratory rate of 17/min is within the normal adult range (12-20/min) and does not require follow-up. There are no signs of respiratory distress or abnormalities in this case, indicating
that the client's respiratory status is stable and does not necessitate further evaluation.
Choice E rationale:
A white blood cell count of 12,000/mm³ is within the expected range for postpartum women, where normal values can be elevated due to physiological stress and inflammation from
delivery. This level does not indicate infection or pathology and does not require follow-up in the context provided.
Choice F rationale:
Blood pressure of 144/92 mmHg is elevated and concerning, particularly in a postpartum client with a history of chronic hypertension and gestational diabetes. This could signal
postpartum preeclampsia or other hypertensive disorders, requiring careful monitoring and management to prevent complications like seizures, stroke, or organ damage.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A boggy and displaced fundus typically indicates bladder distention. Assisting the client to void can help relieve bladder distention, allowing the uterus to contract properly and
reducing the risk of postpartum hemorrhage.
Choice B rationale
Asking the client to rate her pain is important, but it does not address the immediate issue of a boggy, displaced fundus, which suggests bladder distention.
Choice C rationale
Encouraging the client to move to the left lateral position might help with blood flow and comfort but does not resolve the issue of a boggy fundus due to bladder distention.
Choice D rationale
Kegel exercises strengthen pelvic floor muscles but do not address the immediate concern of a boggy, displaced fundus caused by bladder distention.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Acknowledging the client’s feelings provides emotional support and validates her experience. This response opens the door for further discussion and support, which is crucial for emotional well-being.
Choice B rationale
Suggesting future possibilities does not address the client's current emotional state. It may come across as dismissive of her feelings and does not offer the immediate support she needs.
Choice C rationale
While emphasizing the health of the baby is positive, it can also be perceived as dismissive of the client's feelings and her disappointment about the birth experience.
Choice D rationale
Mentioning the resumption of sexual relations shifts the focus away from her emotional needs and can be inappropriate or insensitive in this context, failing to address her disappointment.