A nurse is caring for a client who is 6 hours postpartum following a vaginal birth.
The client has saturated a perineal pad within 15 minutes. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Assess the client's blood pressure.
Assess the bladder for distention.
Massage the client's fundus.
Prepare to administer a prescription.
Prepare to administer a prescription.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Assessing the client's blood pressure can help determine if there is a significant loss of blood and consequent hypotension. However, it is not the immediate first action to manage
heavy bleeding postpartum.
Choice B rationale
Assessing the bladder for distention is crucial as a full bladder can interfere with uterine contraction, potentially leading to increased bleeding. But, it isn't the first priority compared to
addressing the immediate bleeding.
Choice C rationale
Massaging the client's fundus is the priority action in this case. It helps to contract the uterus, thereby reducing bleeding. Uterine atony is the most common cause of postpartum
hemorrhage, and fundal massage is the first intervention to manage it.
Choice D rationale
Preparing to administer a prescription may be necessary, especially if uterotonics are required. However, this is a subsequent step after attempting to control the bleeding through
fundal massage.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
GBS can be transmitted to the baby during both vaginal and cesarean deliveries if the mother is colonized with the bacteria. It is not limited to cesarean sections, hence why appropriate screening and treatment are essential.
Choice B rationale
GBS, although often harmless in the general population, can cause severe infections in newborns. This bacterium can be a source of severe neonatal infections like sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis, necessitating preventive measures during pregnancy and delivery.
Choice C rationale
Screening for GBS is typically performed between 35 and 37 weeks of gestation, not at the first prenatal visit. This timing ensures accurate detection of the bacteria closer to the time of delivery.
Choice D rationale
Intravenous antibiotics during labor are recommended for mothers who test positive for GBS to prevent transmission to the baby. This intervention significantly reduces the risk of neonatal GBS infection.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Pelvic pain and fatigue can be indicators of endometritis, an infection of the uterine lining. It often manifests with pain, fever, and general malaise, and requires further evaluation and intervention.
Choice B rationale
Light amount of dark red lochia with a bloody odor is a normal postpartum finding. Lochia progresses through different stages, and dark red lochia, which occurs in the later stages, typically has a bloody odor.
Choice C rationale
Hematuria, or the presence of blood in the urine, is not a typical symptom of endometritis. It may indicate a urinary tract infection or other renal issues instead.
Choice D rationale
A localized area of breast tenderness may indicate mastitis, an infection of the breast tissue. It is not related to endometritis but requires attention and treatment.