7.1b Care Management - Physical Needs Flashcards
Model of Care
- Plan includes woman, newborn, and family
- Couplet or Mother-Baby Model of Care
On-going physical assessment
- VS
- Physical Assessment
- Evaluation of breasts
- Uterine Fundus
- Lochia
- Perineum
- Bladder/Bowel Function
- Lower Extremities
Routine Lab Tests (Postpartum)
- Hemoglobin/hematocrit
- Urinalysis (especially if indwelling catheter was used)
- Rubella immunity
- rH status
Nursing Interventions (Postpartum)
- Assessment periodically to detect variations from normal physical changes
- Relieve discomfort/pain
- Prevent injury/infection
- Education on self-management and infant care
Blood Pressure
- Normal to return to baseline BP with transient increases by 5%
- Patient may have orthostatic hypotension for the first 48 hours postpartum
COMPLICATIONS
- Hypertension
- Preeclampsia
- Essential hypertension (not due to medical cause)
- Hypotension (hemorrhage)
Temperature
- Should be between 97.2 - 100.4
- Greater than 100.4 after 24 hours could mean there is an infection
Pulse
- Should be 50-90 bpm
COMPLICATIONS
- Tachycardia due to pain, fever, dehydration, or hemorrhage
Respirations
- Normal 16-20 breaths per minute
COMPLICATIONS
Bradypnea - due to opioid effects
Tachycardia - due to anxiety or respiratory disease
Breath sounds
- Should be clear to auscultate
- Crackles could be due to fluid overload
Breast Exam
- Days 1-2 breasts should be soft
- Days 2-3 breast should be filling
- Days 3-5 breasts should be full with breastmilk
COMPLICATIONS
Engorgement - Firmness, head, pain which can lead to mastitis (infection of breasts)
Nipples
- Skin should be intact with no soreness
COMPLICATIONS
- Redness, bruising, cracks, fissures usually associated with latching issues
Fundus
- After 24 hours fundus should be firm, midline and at level of umbilicus
- Goes down at about 1cm (finger length) a day
COMPLICATIONS
- Soft, boggy, higher than expected level, atony (uterus fails to contract after birth)
- Can be caused by distended bladder
Lochia
Days 1-3 (Rubra) - Dark red
Days 4-10 (Serosa) - Brownish Red/Pink
After day 10 (Alba) - Yellowish White
Amount should be scant-moderate
COMPLICATIONS
- Large amounts of lochia
- Uterine atony
- Large clots
- Foul odor (infection)
Perineum
NORMAL
- Minimal Edema
- Pain minimal-moderate controlled by analgesia
ABNORMAL
- Pronounced edema, bruising, or hematoma
- Redness/Warmth/Drainage (Infection)
- Excessive discomfort for first 1-2 days and hematoma after the 3rd (infection)
Rectal Area
ABNORMAL
- Discolored Hemorrhoids with severe pain
Bladder
- Able to void spontaneously with no pain
- Diuresis begins 12 hours after birth (3000 mL/day)
COMPLICATIONS - Distended bladder which can cause uterine atony and excessive lochia
- Dysuria, burning, urgency which can mean infection
Bowel Movements
- Should start 2-3 days after birth
COMPLICATIONS - No bowel movement after 3-4 days (constipation/diarrhea)
Legs
- DTR should be +1 - +2
- >3 can mean preeclampsia
Excessive Bleeding Interventions
- Monitor lochia and pad saturation to evaluate bleeding
- Monitor/palpate fundus to determine tone. Uterine atony is the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage
- Gently massage fundus if it is boggy to promote uterine contractions
- Teach client to assess for bogginess and how to massage fundus to involve patient in self management.