Sunday, October 6, 2024

EXAMINATION OF THE PUERPERAL CLIENT

Table of Contents

REQUIREMENTS #

  1. Blood Pressure apparatus
  2. Thermometer
  3. Pulse oximeter
  4. Timer with second hand
  5. Sanitary pad
  6. Sterile gloves
  7. Gynaecological gloves
  8. Urethral Catheter
  9. Uterotonic drugs
  10. Sterile Gallipot
  11. Antiseptic lotion (Methylated spirit, Savlon, Dettol, Hibitane)
  12. Sponge holding forceps (Sterile)
  13. Sterile swabs
  14. Intravenous Fluids (Normal Saline, Ringers Lactate)
  15. Intravenous cannula (various sizes)
  16. Suturing set
  17. Oxygen apparatus

STEPS #

  1. Establish rapport (Refer steps)
  2. Explain procedure (Refer steps)
  3. Ask client to empty the bladder
  4. Provide privacy and put client into the dorsal position
  5. Perform hand hygiene
  6. Examine the hair and scalp
  7. Examine the conjunctiva, mouth, nose and ears
  8. Examine the arms, hands and checks capillary refill of fingernail bed
  9. Examine breasts and inspect for establishment of lactation, excluding breast engorgement, cracked and sore nipples
  10. Inspect the abdomen, palpate uterus and measure fundal height
  11. Perform hand hygiene and put on gloves
  12. Instruct client to flex her knees and open her thighs exposing the vulva
  13. Remove perineal pad using one hand
  14. Inspect the lochia (colour, amount, odor)
  15. Discard soiled perineal pad
  16. Inspect vulva and perineum
  17. Clean vulva and perineum and apply fresh perineal pad using the other hand
  18. Remove gloves and perform hand hygiene
  19. Assist client to re-dress and assume a desired position in bed
  20. Educate and encourage client on good perineal hygiene
  21. Express appreciation and communicates findings to client
  22. Dispose off used items and decontaminate instruments
  23. Record findings into Maternal and Child Health Record Book (Manual/ Electronic)
  24. Report findings to officer-in-charge