Nokea
A nurse is caring for a client who is 4 hr postpartum following a vaginal birth. The client has saturated a perineal pad within 10 min. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The first action the nurse should take in this situation is to assess the bladder for distention. Postpartum hemorrhage can be caused by a distended bladder putting pressure on the uterus, preventing it from contracting effectively and leading to excessive bleeding. By assessing for bladder distention and ensuring the client empties her bladder, the nurse can help the uterus contract more efficiently and potentially reduce the bleeding. Assessing the other options such as blood pressure, massaging the fundus, and preparing to administer an oxytocic can be important interventions eventually, but addressing the bladder distention is the first priority in this case of excessive postpartum bleeding.