High Risk Postpartum Nursing Care Study Guide Graded A+

The nurse in a labor and delivery department carefully assesses postpartum patients for signs of complications related to hemorrhage. Which factor makes it most difficult to identify the risk of hemorrhage through vital sign evaluation? 1. Blood pressure may be elevated from prenatal conditions. 2. Respirations are increased due to activity of labor. 3. Changes in blood pressure may not be an immediate sign. 4. Heart rate may increase with intensity of labor {Ans: ANS 3 Changes in blood pressure may not be an immediate sign of hemorrhage in a postpartum patient. OB patients may not show the same signs and symptoms observed in nonpregnant patients during hemorrhage until approximately one-third of the woman's entire blood volume is lost. The postpartum patient has an increased blood volume from pregnancy, which delays vital sign indications. A decrease in BP is a late sign of postpartum hemorrhage}The nurse is preparing a postpartum patient for discharge. For which reasons does the nurse instruct the patient to call the primary care provider? Select all that apply. 1. Foul-smelling lochia 2. Hot, red, painful breasts 3. Mild headache 4. Not sleeping well 5. Frequent, painful urination {Ans: ANS 1,2,5 Foul-smelling lochia is a