Final answer:
In case of respiratory distress post-birth with suspected amniotic fluid embolism, healthcare professionals should assess the newborn for meconium aspiration syndrome, characterized by difficulty breathing, abnormal chest shape, and low Apgar scores confirmed by blood gas analyses and chest X-rays.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a client displays symptoms of respiratory distress shortly after giving birth, and amniotic fluid embolism is suspected, it's necessary for healthcare professionals to assess for secondary complications. A potentially serious complication to consider is meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). MAS occurs when a newborn inhales a mixture of meconium and amniotic fluid into the lungs around the time of delivery, which can lead to a barrel-shaped chest, difficulty in breathing, and low Apgar scores. Listening to the lungs can reveal abnormal sounds, and diagnostic tests such as blood gas analysis and chest X-rays can confirm the diagnosis. Inhaled meconium can cause airway obstruction, surfactant dysfunction, pulmonary inflammation or hypertension, and increases the risk for pneumonia.