Chapter 19: Postpartum Woman at Risk

A 29-year-old postpartum client is receiving anticoagulant therapy for deep venous thrombophlebitis. The nurse should include which instruction in her discharge teaching?

Avoid over-the-counter (OTC) salicylates.

When assessing a client who is 5 days pospartum, which of the following would alert the nurse to suspect that the client is experiencing late postpartum hemorrhage?

Rubra colored lochia

After the nurse teaches a local woman's group about postpartum affective disorders, which statement by the group indicates that the teaching was successful?

"Postpartum depression develops gradually, appearing within the first 6 weeks."

The nurse is providing education to a postpartal woman who has developed a uterine infection. Which statement by the woman indicates that further instruction is needed?

"When I am sleeping or lying in bed, I should lie flat on my back."

The nurse is assigned to care for a postpartum client with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) who is prescribed anticoagulation therapy. Which statement will the nurse include when providing education to this client?

"You need to avoid medications which contain acetylsalicylic acid."

The nurse suspects that a postpartum mother is experiencing uterine atony. What physical findings would the nurse note in this client that would validate the suspicion? Select all that apply.

Boggy fundus Fundus located above the umbilicus Heavy lochia

The nurse notes that a client's uterus, which was firm after the fundal massage, has become boggy again. Which intervention would the nurse do next?

Check for bladder distention, while encouraging the client to void

It is discovered that a new mother has developed a puerperal infection. What is the most likely expected outcome that the nurse will identify for this client related to this condition?

Client's temperature remains below 100.4° F or 38° C orally.

A woman who gave birth to an infant 3 days ago has developed a uterine infection. She will be on antibiotics for 2 weeks. What is the priority education for this client?

Encourage an oral intake of 2 to 3 liters per day.

The nurse is providing care for a postpartum client who has been diagnosed with a perineal infection and who is being treated with antibiotics. What is the nurse's most appropriate intervention?

Encourage fluid intake

A postpartum patient is prescribed methylergonovine 0.2 mg for uterine subinvolution. Which action should the nurse take before administering the medication to the patient?

Measure blood pressure

A postpartal woman is prescribed an antibiotic because of endometritis. Her breast-fed infant should be observed particularly for which of the following?

Signs of thrush and easy bruising

A postpartum client who had a cesarean birth reports right calf pain to the nurse. The nurse observes that the client has nonpitting edema from her right knee to her foot. The nurse knows to prepare the client for which test first?

Venous duplex ultrasound of the right leg

A postpartum client is prescribed medication therapy as part of the treatment plan for postpartum hemorrhage. Which medication would the nurse least expect to administer in this situation?

nifedipine

One of the primary assessments a nurse makes every day is for postpartum hemorrhage. What does the nurse assess the fundus for?

Consistency, shape, and location

A postpartal patient is receiving heparin as treatment for thrombophlebitis. What should the nurse instruct the patient about breast-feeding during this time?

Breast-feeding can continue

A patient who gave birth 5 hours ago has completely saturated a perineal pad within 15 minutes. Which action by the nurse should be implemented first?

Assess the fundus

The nurse is caring for a postpartum woman who exhibits a large amount of bleeding. Which areas would the nurse need to assess before the woman ambulates?

Blood pressure, pulse, reports of dizziness

Which assessment on the third postpartal day would make the nurse evaluate a woman as having uterine subinvolution?

Her uterus is at the level of the umbilicus

A woman who is 2 weeks postpartum calls the clinic and says, "My left breast hurts." After further assessment on the phone, the nurse suspects the woman has mastitis. In addition to pain, the nurse would question the woman about which symptom?

hardening of an area in the affected breast