Ch 16, Postpartum
A nurse is conducting a class on various issues that might develop after going home with a new infant. After discussing how to care for hemorrhoids, the nurse understands that which statement by the class would indicate the need for more information? "I only eat a low-fiber diet." "I already have some pads with witch hazel at home." "My mom always used dibucaine." "Sitz baths worked the last time."
"I only eat a low-fiber diet." Explanation: Postpartum women are predisposed to hemorrhoid development. Nonpharmacologic measures to reduce the discomfort include ice packs, ice sitz baths, and application of cool witch hazel pads. Pharmacologic methods used include local anesthetics (dibucaine) or steroids. Prevention or correction of constipation and not straining during defecation will be helpful in reducing discomfort. Eating a high-fiber diet helps to eliminate constipation and encourages good bowel function.
A nurse is assessing the vital signs of a woman who delivered a healthy newborn vaginally 2 hours ago. Which temperature reading would lead the nurse to notify the health care provider? 97.5°F (36.9°C) 99.2°F (37.3°C) 100.1°F (37.8°C) 100.8°F (38.2°C)
100.8°F (38.2°C) Explanation: Typically, the new mother's temperature during the first 24 hours postpartum is within the normal range or a low grade elevation. Some women experience a slight fever, up to 100.4°F (38.0°C), during the first 24 hours. However, A temperature above 100.4°F (38.0°C) at any time or an abnormal temperature after the first 24 hours may indicate infection and must be reported.
The client is preparing to go home after a cesarean birth. The nurse giving discharge instructions stresses to the family that the client should be seen by her primary care provider within what time interval? 2 weeks 3 weeks 4 weeks 5 weeks
2 weeks Explanation: The general rule of thumb is for a woman who had a cesarean birth to be seen within 2 weeks after hospital discharge, unless the primary care provider has indicated otherwise or if the client develops signs of infection or has other difficulties.
A nurse is working with the parents of a newborn girl. The parents have a 2-year-old boy at home. Which statement would the nurse include when teaching these parents? "Expect to see your 2-year-old become more independent when the baby gets home." "Talk to your 2-year-old about the baby when you're driving him to day care." "Ask your 2-year-old to pick out a special toy for his sister." "Have your 2-year-old stay at home while you're here in the hospital."
Ask your 2-year-old to pick out a special toy for his sister." Explanation: The parents should encourage the sibling to participate in some of the decisions about the baby, such as names or toys. Typically siblings experience some regression with the birth of a new baby. The parents should talk to the sibling during relaxed family times. The parents should arrange for the sibling to come to the hospital to see the newborn.
A client who gave birth 18 hours ago is experiencing a change in lochia flow from scant to moderate. Prioritize the actions the nurse would take to assess the client's fundus. Use all options. Click an option, hold and drag it to the desired position, or click an option to highlight it and move it up or down in the order using the arrows to the left. 1 Determine the site of bleeding. 2 Palpate the fundus. 3 Massage the fundus if boggy. 4 Increase IV oxytocin or breastfeed the newborn. 5 Assess blood pressure. 6 Notify the primary care provider.
Determine the site of bleeding. Palpate the fundus. Massage the fundus if boggy. Increase IV oxytocin or breastfeed the newborn. Assess blood pressure. Notify the primary care provider.
The nurse observes a 2-in (5-cm) lochia stain on the perineal pad of a 1-day postpartum client. Which action should the nurse do next? Reassess the client in 1 hour. Document the lochia as scant. Stop using a peri-pad. Massage the client's fundus.
Document the lochia as scant. Explanation: "Scant" would describe a 1- to 2-in (2.5- to 5-cm) lochia stain on the perineal pad, or an approximate 10-ml loss. This is a normal finding in the postpartum client. The nurse would document this and continue to assess the client as ordered.
A postpartum client is having difficulty stopping her urine stream. Which should the nurse do next? Determine if the client is emptying her bladder. Ask the client when she last urinated. Perform an "in and out" catheter on the client. Educate the client on how to perform Kegel exercises.
Educate the client on how to perform Kegel exercises. Explanation: Clients should begin Kegel exercises on the first postpartum day to increase the strength of the perineal floor muscles. Priority for this client would be to educate her how to perform Kegel exercises as strengthening these muscles will allow her to stop her urine stream.
When doing a health assessment, at which location would the nurse expect to palpate the fundus in a woman on the second postpartum day and how should it feel? fundus height 4 cm below umbilicus and midline fundus two fingerbreadths above symphysis pubis and hard fundus 4 cm above symphysis pubis and firm fundus two fingerbreadths below umbilicus and firm
Fundus two fingerbreadths below umbilicus and firm Explanation: A uterine fundus typically regresses at a rate of one fingerbreadth a day, so on the second day postpartum it would be two fingerbreadths under the umbilicus and would feel firm.
A nurse helps a postpartum woman out of bed for the first time postpartum and notices that she has a very heavy lochia flow. Which assessment finding would best help the nurse decide that the flow is within normal limits? The flow contains large clots. The flow is over 500 mL. Her uterus is soft to your touch. The color of the flow is red.
The color of the flow is red. Explanation: A typical lochia flow on the first day postpartally is red; it contains no large clots; the uterus is firm, indicating that it is well contracted.
Seven hours ago, a multigravida woman gave birth to a male infant weighing 4,133 g. She has voided once and calls for a nurse to check because she states that she feels "really wet" now. Upon examination, her perineal pad is saturated. The immediate nursing action is to: inspect the perineum for lacerations. increase the flow of an IV. assess and massage the fundus. call the primary care provider or the nurse-midwife.
assess and massage the fundus. Explanation: This woman is a multigravida who gave birth to a large baby and is at risk for hemorrhage. The other actions are to be done after the initial fundal massage.
A new mother tells the nurse at the baby's 3 month check-up, "When she cries, it seems like I am the only one who can calm her down." This is an example of which behavior? bonding attachment being spoiled none of the above
attachment Explanation: Attachment is the development of strong affection between an infant and a significant other. It does not occur overnight. It occurs through mutually satisfying experiences. Attachment behaviors include seeking, staying close to, and exchanging gratifying experiences with the infant. Bonding is the close emotional attraction to a newborn by the parents that develops in the first 30 to 60 minutes after birth. This is not an example of being spoiled.
A mother who just given birth has difficulty sleeping despite her exhaustion from labor. What are the causes of this inability to rest? Select all that apply. crying baby inability to get adequate pain relief frequent trips to the bathroom due to diuresis bottle feeding excess fatigue and overstimulation by visitors
crying baby inability to get adequate pain relief frequent trips to the bathroom due to diuresis excess fatigue and overstimulation by visitors Explanation: The period before labor and birth can be uncomfortable for the mother, thus preventing adequate rest and creating a sleep hunger. The early postpartum period involves many adjustments that can take a toll on the mother's sleep.
During a routine assessment the nurse notes the postpartum client is tachycardic. What is a possible cause of tachycardia? delayed hemorrhage bladder distention extreme diaphoresis uterine atony
delayed hemorrhage Explanation: Tachycardia in the postpartum woman can suggest anxiety, excitement, fatigue, pain, excessive blood loss or delayed hemorrhage, infection, or underlying cardiac problems. Further investigation is always warranted to rule out complications. An inability to void would suggest bladder distention. Extreme diaphoresis would be expected as the body rids itself of excess fluid. Uterine atony would be associated with a boggy uterus and excess lochia flow.
A nurse is caring for a client who has just received an episiotomy. The nurse observes that the laceration extends through the perineal area and continues through the anterior rectal wall. How does the nurse classify the laceration? first degree second degree third degree fourth degree
fourth degree Explanation: The nurse should classify the laceration as fourth degree because it continues through the anterior rectal wall. First-degree laceration involves only skin and superficial structures above muscle; second-degree laceration extends through perineal muscles; and third-degree laceration extends through the anal sphincter muscle but not through the anterior rectal wall.
A client appears to be resting comfortably 12 hours after giving birth to her first child. In contrast, she labored for more than 24 hours, the primary care provider had to use forceps to deliver the baby, and she had multiple vaginal examinations during labor. Based on this information what postpartum complication is the client at risk for developing? hemorrhage infection depression pulmonary emboli
infection Explanation: There are many risk factors for developing a postpartum infection: operative procedures (e.g., forceps, cesarean section, vacuum extraction), history of diabetes, prolonged labor (longer than 24 hours), use of Foley catheter, anemia, multiple vaginal examinations during labor, prolonged rupture of membranes, manual extraction of placenta, and HIV.
The nurse is performing a routine assessment of the client after birth. Inspection of a woman's perineal pad reveals a 3-in (7.5-cm) lochia stain. This amount should be documented as which type? moderate scant light heavy
light Explanation: Moderate lochia would describe a 4- to 6-inch stain, scant lochia a 1- to 2-in (2.5- to 5-cm) stain, and light or small an approximately 3- to 4-in (7.5- to 10-cm) stain. Heavy or large lochia would describe a pad that is saturated within 1 hour.
The nurse is observing a client who gave birth yesterday. Where should the nurse expect to find the top of the client's fundus? one fingerbreadth above the umbilicus one fingerbreadth below the umbilicus at the level of the umbilicus below the symphysis pubis
one fingerbreadth below the umbilicus Explanation: After a client gives birth, the height of her fundus should decrease by approximately one fingerbreadth (1 cm) each day. By the end of the first postpartum day, the fundus should be one fingerbreadth below the umbilicus. Immediately after birth, the fundus may be above the umbilicus; 6 to 12 hours after birth, it should be at the level of the umbilicus; 10 days after birth, it should be below the symphysis pubis.
The nurse has been asked to conduct a class to teach new mothers how to avoid developing stress incontinence. Which action would the nurse include in the discussion as possible strategies for the new mothers to do? Select all that apply. performing Kegel exercises avoiding smoking losing weight if obese increasing fluid intake starting jogging
performing Kegel exercises avoiding smoking losing weight if obese Explanation: Postpartum women should consider low-impact activities such as walking, biking, swimming, or low-impact aerobics as they resume physical activity. They should also consider a regular program of Kegel exercises; losing weight, if necessary; avoiding smoking; limiting intake of alcohol and caffeinated beverages; and adjusting the fluid intake to produce a 24-hourly output of 1,000 ml to 2,000 ml.
At the 6-week visit following delivery of her infant, a postpartum client reports extreme fatigue, feelings of sadness and anxiety, and insomnia. Based on these assessment findings, the nurse documents that the client is exhibiting characteristics of: postpartum depression. postpartum blues. postpartum psychosis. postpartum adjustment.
postpartum depression. Explanation: Extreme fatigue, feelings of sadness and anxiety, and insomnia are consistent with a diagnosis of postpartum depression. Postpartum blues occurs in the first week after birth. Postpartum psychosis is a psychiatric emergency in which symptoms of high mood and racing thoughts (mania), depression, severe confusion, loss of inhibition, paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions present following a birth. Postpartum adjustment is a positive coping experience in which the woman transitions to the role of mother.
A client gave birth 2 days ago and is preparing for discharge. The nurse assesses respirations to be 26 breaths/min and labored, and the client was short of breath ambulating from the bathroom this morning. Lung sounds are clear. The nurse alerts the primary care provider and the nurse-midwife to her concern that the client may be experiencing: mitral valve collapse. thrombophlebitis. pulmonary embolism. upper respiratory infection.
pulmonary embolism. Explanation: These symptoms suggest a pulmonary embolism. Mitral valve collapse and thrombophlebitis would not present with these symptoms; infection would have a febrile response with changes in lung sounds.
Which factor puts a client on her first postpartum day at risk for hemorrhage? hemoglobin level of 12 g/dl (120 g/L) uterine atony thrombophlebitis moderate amount of lochia rubra
uterine atony Explanation: Loss of uterine tone places a client at higher risk for hemorrhage. Thrombophlebitis does not increase the risk of hemorrhage during the postpartum period. The hemoglobin level and lochia flow are within acceptable limits.
A nurse is providing care to a postpartum woman. Documentation of a previous assessment of a woman's lochia indicates that the amount was moderate. The nurse interprets this as reflecting approximately how much? Under 10 ml 10 to 25 ml 25 to 50 ml Over 50 ml
25 to 50 ml Explanation: Typically, the amount of lochia is described as follows: scant: a 1- to 2-in (2.5- to 5-cm) lochia stain on the perineal pad or approximately a 10-ml loss light or small: an approximately 4-in (10-cm) stain or a 10- to 25-ml loss moderate: a 4- to 6-in (10- to 15-cm) stain with an estimated loss of 25 to 50 ml large or heavy: a pad saturated within 1 hour after changing it or over 50-ml loss.
Which finding would the nurse describe as "light" or "small" lochia? 1- to 2-inch lochia stain on the perineal pad or a 10 ml loss 4-inch stain or a 10 to 25 ml loss 4- to 6-inch stain with an estimated loss of 25 to 50 ml pad is saturated within 1 hour after changing it
4-inch stain or a 10 to 25 ml loss Explanation: Typically the amount of lochia is described as follows: scant: a 1- to 2-inch lochia stain on the pad or a 10 ml loss; light or small: 4-inch stain or a 10 to 25 ml loss; moderate: 4- to 6-inch stain with an estimated loss of 25 to 50 ml; large or heavy: a pad is saturated within 1 hour after changing it.
A client who has a breastfeeding newborn reports sore nipples. Which intervention can the nurse suggest to alleviate the client's condition? Recommend a moisturizing soap to clean the nipples. Encourage use of breast pads with plastic liners. Offer suggestions based on observation to correct positioning or latching. Fasten nursing bra flaps immediately after feeding.
Offer suggestions based on observation to correct positioning or latching. Explanation: The nurse should observe positioning and latching-on technique while breastfeeding so that she may offer suggestions based on observation to correct positioning/latching. This will help minimize trauma to the breast. The client should use only water, not soap, to clean the nipples to prevent dryness. Breast pads with plastic liners should be avoided. Leaving the nursing bra flaps down after feeding allows nipples to air dry.
A client who has given birth is being discharged from the health care facility. She wants to know how safe it would be for her to have intercourse. Which instructions should the nurse provide to the client regarding intercourse after birth? Avoid use of water-based gel lubricants. Resume intercourse if bright red bleeding stops. Avoid performing pelvic floor exercises. Use oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) for contraception.
Resume intercourse if bright red bleeding stops. Explanation: The nurse should inform the client that intercourse can be resumed if bright red bleeding stops. Use of water-based gel lubricants can be helpful and should not be avoided. Pelvic floor exercises may enhance sensation and should not be avoided. Barrier methods such as a condom with spermicidal gel or foam should be used instead of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs).
Two days after giving birth, a client is to receive Rho(D) immune globulin. The client asks the nurse why this is necessary. The most appropriate response from the nurse is: "Rho(D) immune globulin suppresses antibody formation in a woman with Rh-positive blood who gave birth to a baby with Rh-negative blood." "Rho(D) immune globulin suppresses antibody formation in a woman with Rh-negative blood who gave birth to a baby with Rh-positive blood." "Rho(D) immune globulin suppresses antibody formation in a woman with Rh-positive blood who gave birth to a baby with Rh-positive blood." "Rho(D) immune globulin suppresses antibody formation in a woman with Rh-negative blood who gave birth to a baby with Rh-negative blood."
"Rho(D) immune globulin suppresses antibody formation in a woman with Rh-negative blood who gave birth to a baby with Rh-positive blood." Explanation: Rho(D) immune globulin is indicated to suppress antibody formation in women with Rh-negative blood who gave birth to babies with Rh-positive blood. Rho(D) immune globulin is also given to women with Rh-negative blood after miscarriage/pregnancy termination, abdominal trauma, ectopic pregnancy, and amniocentesis.
When completing the morning postpartum data collection, the nurse notices the client's perineal pad is completely saturated. Which action should be the nurse's first response? Vigorously massage the fundus. Immediately call the primary care provider. Have the charge nurse review the assessment. Ask the client when she last changed her perineal pad.
Ask the client when she last changed her perineal pad. Explanation: If the morning assessment is done relatively early, it is possible that the client has not yet been to the bathroom, in which case her perineal pad may have been in place all night. Secondly, her lochia may have pooled during the night, resulting in a heavy flow in the morning. Vigorous massage of the fundus, which is indicated for a boggy uterus, would not be recommended as a first response until the client had gone to the bathroom, changed her perineal pad, and emptied her bladder. The nurse would not want to call the primary care provider unnecessarily. If the nurse were uncertain, it would be appropriate to have another qualified individual check the client but only after a complete assessment of the client's status.
Which postpartum client will the nurse assess first? an 18-year-old who wants to sleep until 10:00 before the nurse brings the infant for a visit a 35-year-old who had estimated blood loss of 700 ml and has a supine BP of 130/80 mm Hg and BP of 100/65 mm Hg when head of the bed is elevated a 22-year-old who has been up, showered, and packing for discharge later today a 30-year-old postpartum client who had a cesarean birth and is sleeping following pain medication administration
a 35-year-old who had estimated blood loss of 700 ml and has a supine BP of 130/80 mm Hg and BP of 100/65 mm Hg when head of the bed is elevated Explanation: A major complication in women who have lost an appreciable amount of blood with birth is orthostatic hypotension, or dizziness that occurs on standing because of the lack of adequate blood volume to maintain nourishment of brain cells. If blood pressure is 15 to 20 mm Hg lower after raising the head of the bed upright compared with the supine reading, the woman might be susceptible to dizziness and fainting when she ambulates. Developmentally, 18-year-old teenagers may stay up late and sleep late as a normal sleep cycle. The young 22-year-old packing for discharge is not the priority. A client who had a cesarean birth with minimal blood loss should be allowed to sleep after receiving pain medication and is not the priority.
