Postpartum hemorrhage
Structured condition card with NCLEX priority cues and nursing action focus.
OB / Newbornhigh priorityneeds review
Postpartum hemorrhage
Etiology / Pathophysiology
- Uterine atony, trauma, retained tissue, or clotting disorder.
- Excess bleeding after birth causes hypovolemia and shock risk.
Medications
| Class | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| OB uterotonics | Used to improve uterine tone and reduce bleeding. |
Nursing actions
- Assess fundus, lochia, vital signs, bladder distention, and shock signs.
- Massage boggy uterus and empty bladder per protocol.
- Prepare uterotonics, IV fluids, blood products, and escalation.
Complications
- Hypovolemic shock
- DIC
- Anemia
- Death
NCLEX cues
- Boggy fundus plus heavy bleeding.
- Massage fundus first for atony.
Memory hooks
- Boggy uterus bleeds; firm uterus clamps.
Labs / Diagnostics
- Trend assessment findings and ordered diagnostics; verify exact values with school source material.
Review notes
- Session-derived study seed. Verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy before relying on details.