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    Ati Rn Maternal Newborn Proctored Exam 2023
    Select All That Apply

    A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who had a vaginal delivery 3 hours ago. Which of the following findings place the client at risk for postpartum hemorrhage? (Select all that apply)

    Explanation & Rationale

    Choice A rationale Oxytocin use for labor induction or augmentation is a significant risk factor for uterine atony, the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). Prolonged or high-dose exposure can lead to receptor downregulation or overstimulation, resulting in a fatigued or poorly contracting uterus, which fails to clamp down on the blood vessels at the placental site after delivery. Choice B rationale A history of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, is not recognized as an independent risk factor for increasing the likelihood of postpartum hemorrhage. The physiological mechanisms leading to PPH are primarily related to uterine function, trauma, or coagulation disorders, which HPV infection does not directly influence. Choice C rationale A history of uterine atony in a previous pregnancy significantly increases the risk for recurrence in subsequent deliveries because it suggests an underlying predisposition for the myometrium to fail its contractile function. Uterine atony prevents the spiral arteries from being compressed, leading to excessive blood loss, which defines postpartum hemorrhage. Choice D rationale The average newborn weight in Western populations is approximately 3.4 kg (7.5 lb), with a normal range generally considered between 2.5 kg and 4.0 kg. A newborn weight of 2.948 kg (6 lb 8 oz) is within the normal range and does not constitute a risk factor for PPH, unlike macrosomia (birth weight > 4000 g or 8 lb 13 oz) which overdistends the uterus. Choice E rationale Vacuum-assisted delivery, a form of operative vaginal delivery, increases the risk of PPH primarily due to associated genital tract trauma (e.g., cervical, vaginal, or perineal lacerations) and potentially compounding the risk of uterine atony from prolonged labor or necessary manual maneuvers. Trauma contributes to bleeding that is non-uterine in origin.

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