When a female patient complains of headache, blurred vision, and epigastric pain after delivery and Pitocin infusion, nursing priorities should include prevention of excessive bleeding and evaluation of possible complications after the episiotomy. Regarding the already made incision, such problems as increased blood loss, infection, pain, discomfort, and new hematoma formations may be observed (Silbert-Flagg & Pillitterri, 2017). The symptoms of postpartum hemorrhage include increased heart rate, bleeding, and decreased blood pressure and red blood cells. Alteration in comfort and risk for infection are nursing diagnoses related to episiotomy, and deficient fluid volume is a diagnosis related to blood loss. To be ready to respond to the patient’s condition, a nurse should make a physical assessment of vital signs (temperature – every four hours, pulse and blood pressure – every 30 minutes the next two hours) and lochia regularly (Silbert-Flagg & Pillitterri, 2017). Palpations of a fundus, maintenance of uterine tone, and avoidance of bladder distention are also important.
Postpartum patients experience discomfort and pain in the perineal area because of tears and urgent operative interventions. Ice or cold packs, cold/heat therapy, and hygiene are the recommendations to be followed. Sometimes, female patients do not feel complications or changes because of fatigue, new experience, and emotions. They fail to follow care recommendations and put their health at risk. Therefore, laboratory CBC and LFT results are necessary to define the current health status and reveal if there are any internal problems. To measure blood loss, nurses may count the number of saturated perineal pads and check the results of hemoglobin concentration (Silbert-Flagg & Pillitterri, 2017). In general, the conditions of female patients after delivery vary, depending on complications, the quality of counseling, and the level of support obtained from family and care providers.
Reference
Silbert-Flagg, J., & Pillitterri, A. (2017). Maternal and child health nursing: Care of the childbearing and childbearing family (8th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.