Complication Postpartum Related

Review Complication Postpartum related questions and content

The nurse and provider estimate the blood loss at delivery to be 400 mL in the measuring drape; now when doing the initial perineal care, the nurse finds a large amount of blood underneath the patient. What action reflects safe and accurate nursing care?

  • A. Estimate the amount of blood loss from the sheet and client clothing, and notify the physician.
  • B. Encourage the mother to report any additional bleeding or clots.
  • C. Draw the ordered hematocrit and notify the provider if the result is less than 28.
  • D. Weigh the blood-soaked linens and notify the provider of the additional blood loss.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Weighing the blood-soaked linens provides an accurate measurement of the additional blood loss, which is crucial for assessing the patient's condition accurately. Here's the rationale step-by-step:

1. Weighing the blood-soaked linens is an objective and precise method to quantify the additional blood loss.
2. This measurement helps to determine the total blood loss accurately, which is essential for assessing postpartum hemorrhage.
3. Providing this quantitative data to the provider enables them to make informed decisions about further interventions.
4. Estimating blood loss visually is subjective and can be inaccurate, leading to potential underestimation or overestimation.
5. Drawing hematocrit levels (choice C) may provide valuable information but does not directly address the immediate need to quantify the additional blood loss.
6. Encouraging the mother to report bleeding (choice B) is important for ongoing assessment but does not provide an objective measurement of the blood loss.

In summary