Question

The nurse is assessing a client in the postpartum period and suspects the presence of uterine atony. Which is the initial nursing action?

1. Massage the uterus until firm.
2. Take the client's blood pressure.
3. Contact the health care provider (HCP).
4. Assess the amount of drainage on the peripad.

Answer 1

The initial nursing action for suspected uterine atony is to massage the uterus until it firms up to encourage contraction and prevent hemorrhage.

Therefore, option 1 ) is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the nurse suspects the presence of uterine atony during the postpartum period, the initial nursing action is to massage the uterus until firm. This manual stimulation encourages the uterus to contract and can help stop excessive bleeding. It's a direct intervention that addresses the immediate concern of potential hemorrhage. After the uterus is firm and bleeding is controlled, the nurse should re-assess the patient's vital signs, including blood pressure, and then assess the amount of drainage on the peripad. If uterine atony persists despite uterine massage or if there is significant blood loss, the nurse should contact the health care provider immediately for further interventions.