Question

A woman gave birth to a 7-pound, 6-ounce infant girl 1 hour ago. The birth was vaginal and the estimated blood loss (EBL) was approximately 1500 ml. When assessing the woman's vital signs, the nurse would be concerned to see:

A. Temperature 37.9° C, heart rate 120, respirations 20, blood pressure 90/50
B. Temperature 37.4°C, heart rate 88, respirations 36, blood pressure 126/68
C. Temperature 38° C, heart rate 80, respirations 16, blood pressure 110/80
D. Temperature 36.8° C, heart rate 60, respirations 18, blood pressure 140/90

Answer 1

A nurse would be concerned about the vital signs of Temperature 37.9° C, heart rate 120, respirations 20, blood pressure 90/50 in a postpartum woman with significant blood loss, as they could indicate hemorrhage or infection.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing the vital signs of a woman who gave birth to a 7-pound, 6-ounce infant girl 1 hour ago with an estimated blood loss (EBL) of approximately 1500 ml, a nurse would be concerned to see vital signs of Temperature 37.9° C, heart rate 120, respirations 20, blood pressure 90/50. These vital signs indicate potential postpartum complications, such as postpartum hemorrhage, which is consistent with the significant blood loss. Low blood pressure and a high heart rate could be signs of hypovolemia due to hemorrhage, necessitating immediate medical attention. Additionally, a temperature elevation could suggest the beginning of an infection, which requires monitoring.