Question

Your patient is an​ 18-year-old female whom you believe may have had a miscarriage and is bleeding heavily. You have completed your primary and secondary assessments and now you need to reassess her to see if the bleeding has stopped. You​ should:

A. take another set of vital signs to see if her blood pressure has dropped.
B. wait and let the hospital staff reassess the bleeding.
C. in a reassuring​ tone, explain what you need to do.
D. ask her to check herself to see if she is still bleeding.

Answer 1

The appropriate action is to take another set of vital signs to monitor the patient's condition and assess for signs of hemorrhage. Open communication with the patient, done in a reassuring tone, is also essential in providing proper care.

Step-by-step explanation:

The appropriate action for a healthcare professional when a patient is suspected of having a miscarriage and is experiencing heavy bleeding is to take another set of vital signs to assess if there is a drop in blood pressure, which would indicate significant blood loss and the need for immediate intervention. While waiting for hospital staff is an option, it is important to continuously monitor the patient’s condition due to the risk of hemorrhage. In a medical setting, it is medically recommended that the professional, rather than the patient, examine for bleeding to ensure accuracy and provide appropriate care. Explaining the next steps to the patient in a reassuring tone is also a good practice as it helps to reduce anxiety and maintains open communication with the patient.