Final answer:
Nurses use other indicators in addition to pulse rate and blood pressure to assess postpartum hemorrhage as these vital signs may not immediately reflect significant blood loss due to the body's compensatory mechanisms. Additional methods can provide a more accurate early detection of the condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nurses use indicators other than pulse rate and blood pressure for postpartum hemorrhage assessment because these measurements may not change until after a significant amount of blood has been lost. The body can compensate for blood loss through mechanisms that maintain blood pressure and flow, such as heart rate acceleration and vasoconstriction, making it essential to use additional assessment methods to detect hemorrhage early.
During a hemorrhage, the body's initial response is to increase blood pressure and maintain blood flow to vital organs. Baroreceptors trigger a compensatory increase in the heart rate and the strength of contractions to maintain blood pressure, which can mask the true extent of blood loss. Therefore, relying solely on blood pressure and pulse rate can be misleading.
Other assessment tools can include checking for signs of ongoing bleeding, measuring blood loss, and assessing the patient's clinical appearance and symptoms. These can provide a more accurate picture of the condition before the limited compensatory mechanisms are overwhelmed, leading to sharp declines in vital signs.