A postpartum patient complains of severe perineal pain and a sensation of needing to defecate but cannot pass stool.What action by the nurse is best?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A perineal hematoma can cause excessive pain and the sensation of needing to defecate.The nurse assesses for this condition by gently palpating the perineal area through sterile gloves while observing for the degree of sensitivity to this touch.If a hematoma is suspected,the provider needs to be notified immediately so that the bleeding can be identified and halted.

A Postpartum Patient Complains of Severe Perineal Pain and a Sensation