NCLEX: A postpartum client on the mother-baby unit is being evaluated for immediate postpartum recovery. Assessment data…

Maternal-newborn nursing Health Promotion and Maintenance Reduction of Risk Potential

Case Study

A postpartum client on the mother-baby unit is being evaluated for immediate postpartum recovery. Assessment data include fundus boggy above the umbilicus and deviated to the right with heavy lochia. Using ABCs and Maslow, which need should the nurse address first?

Question

A. Pain relief before checking airway and breathing.
B. Visitor concerns before physiologic stability.
C. Airway, breathing, and circulation problems before comfort or psychosocial needs.
D. Long-term teaching before treating acute physiologic risk.

Rationale

Correct answer: C. Airway, breathing, and circulation problems before comfort or psychosocial needs.

Rationale: Physiologic stability and ABCs take priority over comfort, teaching, or psychosocial needs when the client is unstable.

Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.

Level: Clinical

Difficulty: Medium

Subtopic: Postpartum assessment