How to Care for a Patient with Uterine Atony

Uterine atony is a condition where the uterus does not contract after a female patient has given birth to a child. This may lead to hemorrhage which when excessive may lead to a poor outcome for the new mother. It is therefore important for the nurse to be vigilant about monitoring her patients uterine progress.

Instructions

    • 1

      Assess your patients uterus. Palpate the fundus of her uterus with your hands. Do this by supporting the bottom part of the uterus while palpating the upper part. The fundus which is the upper part of the uterus should be firm and midline. If it is not firm but is soft and boggy instead, then there is a case of uterine atony.

    • 2

      If your clients uterus is boggy also known as uterine atony, begin to massage the uterus. Assess the response of the uterus to the massage. If it is still boggy, assess the position of the uterus. If it is displaced to the right instead of being midline, your client may have a full bladder.

    • 3

      Palpate your clients bladder for distention. If its distended, ask her to empty her bladder. After this, reassess your clients uterus for firmness.

    • 4

      If firmness is not attained after a massage and emptying of the bladder, uterine stimulants may be needed. Therefore notify the phycisian of your clients condition and administer any prescribed medication for stimulation of the uterus.

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