A pregnant patient in the second trimester is in the emergency department after a motor vehicle crash.She has a severe laceration of her arm resulting in a large blood loss.Which assessment should the nurse perform first?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Because a woman's blood volume can increase dramatically during pregnancy,blood pressure is an unreliable indicator of a volume deficit.Maternal pulse and fetal heart rate are much more accurate indicators.Because the priority in care of the pregnant trauma patient is care of the mother,the nurse should assess the mother's blood pressure first.

A Pregnant Patient in the Second Trimester Is in the Emergency