Author Question: A nurse assessing a postpartum woman 12 hours after uncomplicated vaginal birth finds her pulse to ... (Read 73 times)

asd123 · **on:** Jun 28, 2018

A nurse assessing a postpartum woman 12 hours after uncomplicated vaginal birth finds her pulse to be 110 beats/minute. What action by the nurse is best?

A.
Assess the patient for causes of tachycardia.
B.
Document the findings and notify the provider.
C.
Facilitate a blood draw for laboratory studies.
D.
Place the patient on a 1,000-mL fluid restriction.

Question 2

A nurse is assisting a postpartum woman to get up for the first time after an unmedicated vaginal birth. What action by the nurse is best?

A.
Apply a properly fitting gait belt before assisting the woman.
B.
Determine if the woman has normal sensation to her lower extremities.
C.
Instruct the woman to sit on the edge of the bed prior to standing.
D.
Take the patient's blood pressure lying down and then in a standing position.

anyusername12131 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 28, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Postpartum tachycardia can result from several causes, including complications, blood loss, prolonged labor, temperature elevation, and infection. The nurse should assess the patient thoroughly to determine the cause of the tachycardia prior to notifying the provider. A blood draw may or may not be necessary. A fluid restriction would not be helpful, as this would lead to a temperature elevation and further tachycardia.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Orthostatic hypotension can occur in the postpartum woman. The nurse should instruct the woman to change positions slowly and sit on the edge of the bed prior to standing up. A gait belt is not necessary. Checking for lower extremity sensation would be important after spinal or epidural anesthetic. Obtaining orthostatic blood pressures is not necessary unless this is an ongoing problem.