Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 79%
Simulated
An unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) informs the charge nurse that a client who delivered a 7-pound (3,175 gram) infant 12 hours ago is experiencing a severe headache.The client's blood pressure is 110/70 mm Hg, respiratory rate is 18 breaths/minute, heart rate is 74 beats/minute, and temperature is 98.6° F (37° C). The client's fundus is firm and one fingerbreadth above the umbilicus.What should the charge nurse do first?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
Determining if the client received anesthesia during delivery is the correct first action. A severe headache in the postpartum period can be a sign of a post-dural puncture headache, which can occur as a complication of spinal or epidural anesthesia.