Question

A postpartum nurse is preparing to care for a woman who has just delivered a healthy newborn infant. In the immediate postpartum period the nurse plans to take the woman's vital signs:

1. Every 30 minutes during the first hour and then every hour for the next two hours.
2. Every 15 minutes during the first hour and then every 30 minutes for the next two hours.
3. Every hour for the first 2 hours and then every 4 hours
4. Every 5 minutes for the first 30 minutes and then every hour for the next 4 hours.

Answer 1

In the postpartum period, it's recommended to monitor a woman's vital signs frequently, typically every 15 minutes during the first hour, followed by every 30 minutes for the next two hours.

Step-by-step explanation:

Assessment of Postpartum Vital Signs

In the immediate postpartum period, it is standard practice for a postpartum nurse to frequently monitor the vital signs of a woman who has just delivered her baby to ensure that she is stable and to identify any signs of complications early. The recommended frequency for checking vital signs usually follows a specific protocol. Among the options provided, the most commonly advised is to take the woman's vitals every 15 minutes during the first hour and subsequently every 30 minutes for the next two hours. This allows the nurse to quickly recognize and respond to any signs of hemorrhage, infection or other complications such as hypertension or preeclampsia that can occur in the postpartum period.