High Risk Postpartum Nursing Care- 14 Flashcards
(81 cards)
Risk Reduction for postpartum complications
- Reviewing the prenatal and intrapartum records for risk factors
- Assessing for signs of a postpartum complication and intervening appropriately.
- Assisting the woman with ambulation.
- Preventing overdistended bladder.
- Using good hand washing techniques by health care workers, patients, and visitors.
• Promoting health with appropriate diet, fluids, activity, and rest.
ambulation-why
Ambulation decreases risk of venous thromboembolism.
Preventing overdistended bladder-why
Overdistended bladder can place the woman at risk for uterine atony, neurogenic bladder, and/or cystitis.
at risk moms
maternal age, pre-pregnancy obesity, preexisting chronic medical conditions, and cesarean deliveries.
Severe maternal morbidity (SMM)
unexpected perinatal outcomes that result in significant short- or long-term consequences to a woman’s health.
Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)
blood loss greater than 500 mL for vaginal deliveries and greater than 1,000 mL for cesarean deliveries with a 10% drop in hemoglobin and/or hematocrit
The primary causes of PPH
Tone: uterine atony
● Tissue: retained placental fragments
● Trauma: lower genital track lacerations
● Thrombin disorders: disseminated intravascular coagulation
physiological changes that decrease amount of blood loss
● Hypercoagulability
● Contractions of the uterine myometrium
Tone (uterine atony) nursing actions
• Assist the uterus to contract via massage and/or medications
• Maintain fluid balance
• Monitor bleeding
Monitor vital signs and labs
• Administer oxygen 10–12 L via face mask
• Keep patient warm
Tissue- placenta retained or abnormal nursing actions
- Call provider to assess; D&C may be needed
- Monitor for signs of shock
- Administer oxygen if indicated
Trauma- lacerations/hematoma nursing actions
- Assess for visible hematoma
- Call provider to assess
- Anticipate possible excision and ligation if >3 cm
- Consider indwelling catheter
- Continue to assess vital signs, blood loss, and fluid maintenance
- Pain management, including ice to the area
Thrombin disorders
- Preeclampsia
- Stillbirth
nursing actions
- Early recognition is key factor in survival
- Confirm accurate blood loss estimates
- Monitor lab values, vital signs, intake and output
- Manage systemic manifestations such as volume replacement, platelets IV, oxygen by mask at 10 L/min
Indications of Primary PPH
- A 10% decrease in the hemoglobin and/or hematocrit postbirth
- Saturation of the peripad within 15 minutes
- A fundus that remains boggy after fundal massage
- Tachycardia (late sign)
- Decrease in blood pressure (late sign)
Uterine atony
decreased tone in the uterine muscle
Uterine atony s/s
● Soft (boggy) fundus versus firm fundus
● Saturation of the peripad within 15 minutes
● Slow and steady or sudden and massive bleeding
● Presence of blood clots
● Pale color and clammy skin
● Anxiety and confusion
● Tachycardia
● Hypotension
Uterine atony nursing actions
- review records for risks
- assess for displaced uterus
- assist to bathroom
- cath if needed + bladder scan
- assess fundus
- massage if boggy+ reassess every 5-15min
- baby on breast can release oxytocin
- assess lochia for amounts and clots
- review labs for hemoglobin and hematocrit
- contact physician with abnormalities
- emotional support
Methylergonovine (Methergine)
Actions: Directly stimulates smooth and vascular smooth muscles causing sustaining uterine contractions.
● Indications: Prevent or treat PP hemorrhage/uterine atony/subinvolution.
Carboprost—Tromethamine (Hemabate)
● Actions: Contraction of uterine muscle
● Indications: Uterine atony
Misoprostol (Cytotec)
● Actions: Acts as a prostaglandin analogue; causes uterine contractions.
● Indications: To control PP hemorrhage.
Not FDA approved
Oxytocin (Pitocin)
● Actions: Stimulates uterine smooth muscle that produces intermittent contractions. Has vasopressor and antidiuretic properties.
● Indications: Control of PP (postpartum) bleeding after placental expulsion.
Lacerations- when
● Give birth to large babies (fetal macrosomia).
● Experience an operative vaginal delivery, such as use of forceps or vacuum extraction.
● Experience a precipitous labor and birth.
Lacerations s/s
● A firm uterus that is midline with heavier than normal bleeding
● Bleeding that is usually a steady stream without clots
● Tachycardia
● Hypotension
Lacerations nursing actions
● review records and monitor moms who are at higher risk
● vital signs
● blood loss 1g=1ml
Notify the physician or midwife of increased bleeding with a firm fundus.
● Administer medications for pain management as ordered.
● Prepare the woman for a pelvic examination.
● Provide emotional support to the woman and her family.
Hematomas
blood collects within the connective tissues of the vagina or perineal areas related to a vessel that ruptures and continues to bleed