POSTPARTUM PHYSIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS AND NURSING CARE Ob chapter 12

POSTPARTUM PHYSIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS AND NURSING CARE Ob chapter 12 Postpartum Nursing Care • Focus of postpartum nursing care – Assessing for early signs of potential complications • Hemorrhage • Infection – Health promotion • Care of self, infant and family – Family education • Information about infant care, postpartum changes, family adaptation Reproductive System • Uterus – Physiological changes • Involution—return to prepregnant state • Afterpains – Assessments • Fundus, bleeding – Expected findings • Firm, progressive involution, decreasing vaginal discharge • 1mL of blood = 1 g of weight – Nursing actions • Boggy uterus • Oxytocin • Patient education • Endometrium – Physiological changes – Lochia – Assessments – Expectant findings – Nursing actions • Excessive bleeding • Patient education Location of Fundus at 6–12 Hours Postpartum 2, 4, 6, and 8 Days Postpartum (image on L) Comparison of Heavy, Moderate, and Scant Lochia on Pads (image on R) Reproductive System (cont’d) • Vagina and perineum – Physiological changes – Assessments • REEDA (Redness, edema, ecchymosis, discharge, approximation of edges)