Final answer:
The practical nurse should perform a fundal massage and may administer uterotonic medications to address the boggy fundus in a postpartum client after a urinary catheter use. Monitoring of vital signs and bleeding is also crucial.
Step-by-step explanation:
After using an intermittent urinary catheter to drain the bladder of a postpartum client and determining that the client's fundus is boggy, the practical nurse should take immediate action to address potential uterine atony. A boggy fundus indicates a lack of tone in the uterus, which can lead to postpartum hemorrhage. To manage this, the nurse should perform a fundal massage to encourage the uterus to contract and firm up. If necessary, the nurse may also administer prescribed uterotonic medications, which help stimulate uterine contractions. Additionally, it is crucial to monitor the client's vital signs and bleeding to assess for any further complications.
Ensuring fluid balance is also important, but in the case of a boggy fundus, the priority is to restore uterine tone to prevent excessive bleeding. If the situation does not improve or if there is excessive bleeding, the nurse should contact the obstetrician immediately for further interventions.