The first and most important nursing intervention when a nurse observes profuse postpartum bleeding is to:
a. Call the woman's primary health care provider.
b. Administer the standing order for an oxytocic.
c. Palpate the uterus and massage it if it is boggy.
d. Assess maternal blood pressure and pulse for signs of hypovolemic shock.
ANS: C
The initial management of excessive postpartum bleeding is firm massage of the uterine fundus. Although calling the health care provider, administering an oxytocic, and assessing maternal BP are appropriate interventions, the primary intervention should be to assess the uterus. Uterine atony is the leading cause of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).
You might also like to view...
The nurse explains that _______________ are areas of skin that are innervated by the dorsal roots of the spinal cord, which are the basis of acupressure therapy
ANS:
A patient who frequently takes diphenhydramine (Benadryl) to prevent motion sickness is scheduled for skin testing to diagnose possible allergies. For what number of days should the pa-tient refrain from taking diphenhydramine before skin testing?
a. 1 b. 2 c. 4 d. 7
The client with acute glomerular nephritis has periorbital edema. What additional assessment should the nurse obtain or perform with this client?
A. Auscultate breath sounds. B. Check blood glucose levels. C. Measure deep tendon reflexes. D. Test urine for the presence of protein.
Which findings would indicate to the nurse executive that a dissonant culture exists in the healthcare agency? Select all that apply
1. Nurses frequently voice complaints to the administration about healthcare deficiencies when they emerge. 2. The facility has a high turnover rate among its registered nursing staff. 3. The organization focuses more on patient issues than on financial viability. 4. There is a means for providing care for those patients who lack health insurance coverage. 5. The education budget for the division of nursing has been cut by half.