During a 2-week postpartum assessment, a nurse is unable to palpate the uterine fundus. What is the best course of action?

In this scenario, the inability to palpate the uterine fundus during a 2-week postpartum assessment is significant and warrants further evaluation. The best course of action is to document the findings, as a proper and thorough record is crucial in nursing practice. This documentation not only serves to provide a baseline for future assessments but also communicates the findings to the rest of the healthcare team.

Documenting the findings allows the nurse to monitor any changes in the patient's condition over time. It ensures that all pertinent information about the patient's postpartum recovery is accurately captured, which is essential for continuity of care and for making informed clinical decisions. In this case, following standard protocols for documentation also helps to identify whether there is a potential issue with uterine involution or other complications that may need to be addressed later.

While it may seem prudent to call a physician or ask another nurse to check, these actions could delay immediate assessment and management of the patient’s condition. Similarly, placing the client in a specific position to recheck does not address the initial concern effectively. Therefore, documenting the findings first allows for a systematic approach to patient care and ensures that any necessary follow-up actions can be taken based on the documented observations.