Question

A client reports to her obstetrician a significant amount of bright red, painless vaginal bleeding. A sonogram reveals that her placenta has implanted low in the uterus and is partially covering the cervical os. Which immediate care measures should the nurse initiate? Select all that apply.

a) Administer pain medication
b) Monitor vital signs
c) Administer oxytocin
d) Restrict physical activity

Answer 1

For a client with placenta previa experiencing significant bright red, painless vaginal bleeding, the nurse should monitor vital signs and restrict physical activity. Administering oxytocin or pain medication is not appropriate in this situation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The client's symptoms are indicative of placenta previa, a condition where the placenta partially or completely covers the cervical os. Immediate care measures in such cases typically focus on protecting the health of both the mother and baby, as the condition can lead to significant bleeding.

In this scenario, the following immediate care measures should be initiated by the nurse:

Monitor vital signs to assess for signs of ongoing blood loss or hemodynamic instability.

Restrict physical activity to minimize the chance of further aggravating the bleeding.

It is not appropriate to administer oxytocin as it can stimulate uterine contractions, potentially worsening the bleeding. Similarly, administering pain medication is not indicated as the bleeding is painless.