Class 7: Postpartum Assessment - Postpartum Period Flashcards
what is included in assessments of the postpartum period (3)
- BUBBLLEE
- VS
- lab work
what is the freq of VS and BUBBLLEE assessment in postpartum
- done when admitted to postpartum unit
- protocol for freq –> no specific number
what does each letter of BUBBLLEE stand for
Breasts
Uterine fundus
Bladder function
Bowel function
Lochia
Legs (extremities)
Episiotomy/laceration or c-section incision
Emotional status
what is included in assessment of breasts (2)
- firmness
- nipples
what is included in assessment of uterine fundus (2)
- location
- consistency
what is included in assessment of bowel function (2)
- passing gas
- bowel mvmt
what is included in assessment of lochia (2)
- amount
- color
what is included in assessment of legs (2)
- peripheral edema? (normal)
- rule out venous thromboembolism
what is included in assessment of episiotomy/laceration or c-section incision (3)
- assess perineum
- discomfort
- condition of repair (if done)
what is included in assessment of emotional status (3)
- mood
- fatigue
- confidence
see slide 13 for nursing care priorities in postpartum, too long for slides
..
describe the firmness of breasts for days 1-2 postpartum
- soft –> no milk yet
describe the firmness of breasts for days 2-3 post-partum
- getting firmer –> filling
describe the firmness of breasts for days 3-5 postpartum
- full
- soften w breast feeding (d/t release of pressure)
describe what the assessment of the nipples should be postpartum (3)
- should be intact intact
- should be no soreness reported
- note any cracks, blisters, or abrasions
what could cracks, blisters, or abrasions of the nipples mean?
- could be an issue w latching
before milk is present, what are newborns fed with?
- colostrum
what is included in education regarding the changes to breasts postpartum (5)
- during pregnancy & after birth breasts become bigger and heavier
- 1st days after giving birth, breasts may become swollen due to increasing breast milk and fluid
- imp to wear a supportive bra to keep you comfortable
- first milk breasts make = colostrum
- during the first few days after birth, breasts make small amt colostrum, enough for the small newborn
if the mother is not breastfeeding, what education should be given? (2)
- your breasts will slowly become smaller within first week or two
- put cold face cloths or ice packs on breasts to help lessen the swelling
describe placement of hands for uterine (fundal) assessment ? why is hand placement imp?
- 1 hand @ fundus
- other hand supports uterus @ symphysis pubis –> imp to prevent prolapsed/inverted uterus
what should be assessed at the same time as uterine (fundal) assessment
- lochia
describe involution of the uterus at the end of the 3rd stage (~2h after birth)
how much does it weigh?
- fundus at the umbilicus or 1-2 cm before umbilicus
- weighs 1000g
describe involution 12 hrs after birth
- may rise to 1cm above umbilicus
describe involution 24 hrs after birth
- uterus is about the same size that it was at 20 weeks gestation
describe involution after 2 weeks postpartum
what is the weight?
- uterus no longer abdominally palpable, below symphysis pubis
- 350 g
by 6 weeks postpartum, the uterus weighs??
- 60-80 g
involution of the uterus should be ~___ cm/day
- 1-2 cm
how is fundal height documented?
in reference to the umbilcus
ex. 2/u = 2cm over umbilcus, @u or u/u = fundus at lvl of umbilicus
what is assessed r/t uterine assessment? (3)
- placement
- size/shape
- tone
what should be the placement of the uterine?
- should be midline on the abdomen
deflection of the uterus could indicate? what concerns does this cause?
- a distended bladder
= concerns about poor contractions to control bleeding
what should the size/shape of the uterus be? (2)
- round
- size of a grapefruit
larger uterine size could indicate?
- hemorrhage
what should the tone of the uterus be?
- firm (like grapefruit)
if the uterus is soft/boggy, what is the concern
- concern of hemorrhage
what are nursing interventions for a boggy uterus (3)
- fundal massage
- notify primary HCP
- uterotonics as ordered
prevention of excessive bleeding includes information for… (4)
- U: uterus
- L: lochiaq
- E: episiotomies/lacerations
- maintenance of uterine tone is connected to vaginal bleeding
what is deflection of the uterus?
- uterus higher, deflected to side (usually R)
what are afterpains?
- cramps of the womb that feel like belly pain
what do afterpains mean?
- they are keeping the womb firm and lessen the bleeding
describe when afterpains are felt the most (3)
- have them most often the first week after you have the baby
- may be stronger w each added birth
- may increase with breastfeeding (d/t release of oxytocin = more contractions)
to lessen the soreness of afterpains, what can be done? (3)
- do deep breathing like in labor
- walk slowly when up and about
- keep your bladder empty
what is included in assessment of the bladder?
assess for distension by:
- visualization
- palpation
bladder distension appears as?
- round, suprapubic bulge
describe palpation of a distended bladder
- may be able to palpate bladder
what impact might a distended bladder have on the uterus tone? placement? lochia?
- uterus boggy
- uterus above umbilicus and to right
- lochia heavier
what are postpartum interventions for the bladder? (3)
- assist woman to void spontaneously
- if unable, catheterize as needed/ordered
- use bladder scanner to assess urine retention
what are normal findings r/t the bladder postpartum? (4)
- should be able to void sponatneously within 8 hrs of birth
- no distension
- able to empty bladder completely
- no dysuria or signs of infection (freq, urgency)
if the uterus is displaced above the umbilicus and well to one side of the midline, we should suspect?
- a distended bladder
due to postpartum diuresis within 12 hrs after birth, they may void up to ____ mL/day
- 3000 mL/day
why are we concerned w bladder distension PP
- due to risks for uterine bleeding
bladder distension is a risk due to the following intrapartum factors (4)
- epidural
- trauma d/t extensive vaginal or perineal lacerations/episiotomy or instrument assisted birth
- prolonged labor
- indwelling cath during labor
what are other risk factors for bladder distension
- fear of discomfort
what is included in nursing care r/t bladder distension
- measure first several voids and document
how much should the first several voids be?
- at least 150 mLs/void
what are nursing interventions to help the birther empty bladder spontaneously (5)
- listen to running water
- squeeze bottle of warm water –> spray perineum
- shower or sitz bath
- analgesics if ordered
- catheter if necessary (if others dont work)
what is included in education r/t the bladder? (4)
- pass urine often to avoid distension
- kegel exercises can help improve the passing of urine
- after baby is born, your body needs to get rid of the extra fluid and does so by sweating & passing water
- may pass lrg amts of urine for 2-5 days after your baby is born
in education r/t bladder, the birther should talk to your HCP is you: (5)
- have pain while passing urine
- have trouble passing urine
- cannot pass urine
- cannot control ur urine
- have a fever
the birther should have a BM by …
- day 2 or 3 after birth –> may not have a BM while in hospital
describe the abdomen PP
- should be soft
in the case of a c-section, the nurse should….. r/t bowels
- nurse should be able to auscultate BS in all four quadrants
why is there a risk of constipation PP (5)
- medications
- dehydration (d/t labor process)
- perineal lacerations/episiotomy
- hemorrhoids
- fear of discomfort (esp. if had episiotomy/perineal laceration)
gas pains are more common w…
- c-section
you should provide education r/t bowel movements to the birther including: (4)
- consuming adequate roughage
- increasing fluid intake
- ambulation
- risk of opioid analgesics
what are interventions for constipation PP? when esp should these be used?
- stool softeners/laxatives
- during early postpartum period esp w extensive perineal repair
describe appetite PP
- usually have good appetite
describe use of prenatal vitamins and iron supplements PP (2)
- should be continued until 6 weeks after birth
- may be longer if breast or chest feeding
describe caloric requirements PP for lactating vs nonlactating persons
- lactating: additional 350-400 / day
- nonlactating: 1800-2200 /day