POSTPARTUM HEMORRHAGE STUDY EXAMS GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔Nursing Interventions for Patients Experiencing Postpartum Hemorrhage - ✔✔When
excessive bleeding is noted and the fundus is boggy, begin uterine massage.
Assess the patient's bladder for distention and have her void or obtain an order for
catheterization if necessary.
Weigh blood-soaked pads, linen savers, and linens to accurately determine the amount
of blood lost.
If fundal massage is not effective in controlling bleeding, promptly notify the health care
provider.
Maintain bed rest for the patient to increase venous return and maintain cardiac output.
Assistance is necessary; one nurse must continue to massage the uterus and perform
and record assessments while the other notifies the health care provider and obtains
necessary medications and equipment.
Keeping the family informed is one of the most effective ways to reduce anxiety.
Acknowledge the anxiety and provide simple, appropriate explanations of the activity.
✔✔Postpartum hemorrhage is treated based upon the - ✔✔cause of the hemorrhage.
The nurse is often the first to discover the hemorrhage and must troubleshoot the
probable cause quickly. A boggy uterus may need medications. However, a perineal or
cervical laceration may present with heavy bleeding and a firm uterus. Use your
assessment skills to identify the cause and you may save a life!
, ✔✔Posthemorrhage Care - ✔✔Continue to assess the patient frequently for a
resumption of bleeding.
Allow rest periods and organize work to help her conserve energy.
Because the patient may experience orthostatic hypotension, assist her in getting out of
bed.
Encourage intake of fluids and foods high in iron. Iron-rich foods include red meat,
poultry, seafood, beans, dark green leafy vegetables (such as spinach), and dried fruit.
Inform the patient that iron supplements or blood transfusions may be required.
The patient may need assistance feeding her newborn because of weakness,
lightheadedness, or fatigue.
✔✔Home Care - ✔✔In general, patients who have had postpartum hemorrhage are
exhausted, and it may take weeks for them to feel well again.
Activity may be restricted until strength returns.
Some patients may need assistance with housework and care of the new infant, and
fatigue may interfere with attachment.
Educate the patient about the specific signs and symptoms of postpartum infection
✔✔Which statements should be included in discharge education for a patient who has
experienced a postpartum hemorrhage - ✔✔"You should get out of bed slowly,
especially if you feel dizzy."
"You may need help caring for your infant while you recover."
"If your temperature is elevated, or you start feeling achy, you should call your health
care provider immediately."
✔✔A woman in the immediate postnatal period complains of severe pelvic pain. The
fundus is firm, and no excessive bleeding is visible. Which action should the nurse take
first? - ✔✔Notify the health care provider.
Severe pelvic pain with no signs of excessive bleeding indicates the possibility of a
hematoma. The health care provider should be notified immediately.
✔✔The nurse is caring for a patient recovering from a postpartum hemorrhage. The
patient's bleeding is under control, and vital signs are stable. Which action should the
nurse take? - ✔✔Perform shift assessments and medication administration at the same
time.
Patients recovering from a postpartum hemorrhage are often exhausted. Organizing
care so that some interventions are done together allows the patient to conserve
energy.
✔✔A woman who has given birth reports severe perineal pain. She had a vacuum
extractor delivery. This woman is at risk for which early postpartum complication? -
✔✔Hematoma
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔Nursing Interventions for Patients Experiencing Postpartum Hemorrhage - ✔✔When
excessive bleeding is noted and the fundus is boggy, begin uterine massage.
Assess the patient's bladder for distention and have her void or obtain an order for
catheterization if necessary.
Weigh blood-soaked pads, linen savers, and linens to accurately determine the amount
of blood lost.
If fundal massage is not effective in controlling bleeding, promptly notify the health care
provider.
Maintain bed rest for the patient to increase venous return and maintain cardiac output.
Assistance is necessary; one nurse must continue to massage the uterus and perform
and record assessments while the other notifies the health care provider and obtains
necessary medications and equipment.
Keeping the family informed is one of the most effective ways to reduce anxiety.
Acknowledge the anxiety and provide simple, appropriate explanations of the activity.
✔✔Postpartum hemorrhage is treated based upon the - ✔✔cause of the hemorrhage.
The nurse is often the first to discover the hemorrhage and must troubleshoot the
probable cause quickly. A boggy uterus may need medications. However, a perineal or
cervical laceration may present with heavy bleeding and a firm uterus. Use your
assessment skills to identify the cause and you may save a life!
, ✔✔Posthemorrhage Care - ✔✔Continue to assess the patient frequently for a
resumption of bleeding.
Allow rest periods and organize work to help her conserve energy.
Because the patient may experience orthostatic hypotension, assist her in getting out of
bed.
Encourage intake of fluids and foods high in iron. Iron-rich foods include red meat,
poultry, seafood, beans, dark green leafy vegetables (such as spinach), and dried fruit.
Inform the patient that iron supplements or blood transfusions may be required.
The patient may need assistance feeding her newborn because of weakness,
lightheadedness, or fatigue.
✔✔Home Care - ✔✔In general, patients who have had postpartum hemorrhage are
exhausted, and it may take weeks for them to feel well again.
Activity may be restricted until strength returns.
Some patients may need assistance with housework and care of the new infant, and
fatigue may interfere with attachment.
Educate the patient about the specific signs and symptoms of postpartum infection
✔✔Which statements should be included in discharge education for a patient who has
experienced a postpartum hemorrhage - ✔✔"You should get out of bed slowly,
especially if you feel dizzy."
"You may need help caring for your infant while you recover."
"If your temperature is elevated, or you start feeling achy, you should call your health
care provider immediately."
✔✔A woman in the immediate postnatal period complains of severe pelvic pain. The
fundus is firm, and no excessive bleeding is visible. Which action should the nurse take
first? - ✔✔Notify the health care provider.
Severe pelvic pain with no signs of excessive bleeding indicates the possibility of a
hematoma. The health care provider should be notified immediately.
✔✔The nurse is caring for a patient recovering from a postpartum hemorrhage. The
patient's bleeding is under control, and vital signs are stable. Which action should the
nurse take? - ✔✔Perform shift assessments and medication administration at the same
time.
Patients recovering from a postpartum hemorrhage are often exhausted. Organizing
care so that some interventions are done together allows the patient to conserve
energy.
✔✔A woman who has given birth reports severe perineal pain. She had a vacuum
extractor delivery. This woman is at risk for which early postpartum complication? -
✔✔Hematoma
