An adolescent patient delivers an 8-lb baby after being in labor for 12 hours. During the postpartal period, which assessment is a priority for the nurse to complete?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Adolescents are more prone to postpartum hemorrhage than the average woman because if the patient's uterus is not yet fully developed, it becomes overdistended by pregnancy. An overdistended uterus will not contract as readily as a normally distended uterus in the postpartum period. This can lead to hemorrhage. Endometriosis, thrombophlebitis, and amniotic embolus are not expected postpartal complications for the adolescent patient.

An Adolescent Patient Delivers an 8-Lb Baby After Being in Labor