A nurse is taking vital signs 1 hour postpartum and notes a radial pulse rate of 55 bpm. What action is most appropriate?

• A. Documenting the finding
• B. Helping the woman get out of bed and walk
• C. Performing active and passive range-of-motion exercises
• D. Reporting the finding to the nurse-midwife or health care provider immediately

Answer: (A)

Postpartum physiology can bring heart rate changes that are expected in the early hours after delivery. A radial pulse of 55 bpm can be normal for some women in the first hour postpartum if they are asymptomatic and have stable blood pressure. The appropriate action is to document the finding and continue routine monitoring, noting it as a low but non-urgent value given the patient’s stability. Escalation to the provider is warranted only if symptoms develop (dizziness, fainting, chest pain, shortness of breath) or if the vital signs indicate instability (hypotension, other concerning changes). Ambulation or ROM exercises are part of standard postpartum care when the patient is stable, but they don’t address a single low pulse in the absence of symptoms.