Chapter 16- Nursing Management During the Postpartum Period

Which statement would alert the nurse to the potential for impaired bonding between mother and newborn? A) "You have your daddy's eyes." B) "He looks like a frog to me." C) "Where did you get all that hair?" D) "He seems to sleep a lot."

Ans: B Negative comments may indicate impaired bonding. Pointing out commonalities such as "daddy's eyes" and expressing pride such as "all that hair" are positive attachment behaviors. The statement about sleeping a lot indicates that the mother is assigning meaning to the newborn's actions, another positive attachment behavior.

The nurse is assessing a postpartum client's lochia and finds that there is about a 4-inch stain on the perineal pad. The nurse documents this finding as which of the following? A) Scant B) Light C) Moderate D) Large

Ans: B The amount of lochia is described as light or small for an approximately 4-inch stain. Scant refers to a 1- to 2-inch stain of lochia; moderate refers to a 4- to 6-inch stain; and large or heavy refers to a pad that is saturated within 1 hour after changing.

A postpartum woman who is breast-feeding tells the nurse that she is experiencing nipple pain. Which of the following would be least appropriate for the nurse to suggest? A) Use of a mild analgesic about 1 hour before breast-feeding B) Application of expressed breast milk to the nipples C) Application of glycerin-based gel to the nipples D) Reinstruction about proper latching-on technique

Ans: A Nipple pain is difficult to treat, although a wide variety of topical creams, ointments, and gels are available to do so. This group includes beeswax, glycerin-based products, petrolatum, lanolin, and hydrogel products. Many women find these products comforting. Beeswax, glycerin-based products, and petrolatum all need to be removed before breast-feeding. These products should be avoided in order to limit infant exposure because the process of removal may increase nipple irritation. Mild analgesics such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are considered relatively safe for breast-feeding mothers. Applying expressed breast milk to nipples and allowing it to dry has been suggested to reduce nipple pain. Usually the pain is due to incorrect latch-on and/or removal of the nursing infant from the breast. Early assistance with breast-feeding to ensure correct positioning can help prevent nipple trauma. In addition, applying expressed milk to nipples and allowing it to dry has been suggested to result in less nipple pain for many women.

When developing the plan of care for the parents of a newborn, the nurse identifies interventions to promote bonding and attachment based on the rationale that bonding and attachment are most supported by which measure? A) Early parent-infant contact following birth B) Expert medical care for the labor and birth C) Good nutrition and prenatal care during pregnancy D) Grandparent involvement in infant care after birth

Ans: A Optimal bonding requires a period of close contact between the parents and newborn within the first few minutes to a few hours after birth. Expert medical care, nutrition and prenatal care, and grandparent involvement are not associated with the promotion of bonding.

After reviewing information about postpartum blues, a group of students demonstrate understanding when they state which of the following about this condition? A) "Postpartum blues is a long-term emotional disturbance." B) "Sleep usually helps to resolve the blues." C) "The mother loses contact with reality." D) "Extended psychotherapy is needed for treatment."

Ans: A Postpartum blues are transient emotional disturbances beginning in the first week after childbirth and are characterized by anxiety, irritability, insomnia, crying, loss of appetite, and sadness (Hanley, 2010). These symptoms typically begin 3 to 4 days after childbirth and resolve by day 8 (Mattson & Smith, 2011). These mood swings may be confusing to new mothers but usually are self-limiting. The blues typically resolves with restorative sleep. Postpartum blues are thought to affect up to 75% of all new mothers; this condition is the mildest form of emotional disturbance associated with childbearing (March of Dimes, 2011). The mother maintains contact with reality consistently and symptoms tend to resolve spontaneously without therapy within 1 to 2 weeks.

A woman who is 12 hours postpartum had a pulse rate around 80 beats per minute during pregnancy. Now, the nurse finds a pulse of 60 beats per minute. Which of these actions should the nurse take? A) Document the finding, as it is a normal finding at this time. B) Contact the physician, as it indicates early DIC. C) Contact the physician, as it is a first sign of postpartum eclampsia. D) Obtain an order for a CBC, as it suggests postpartum anemia.

Ans: A Pulse rates of 40 to 80 beats per minute (bmp) are normal during the first week after birth. This pulse rate is called puerperal bradycardia. During pregnancy, the heavy gravid uterus causes a decreased flow of venous blood to the heart. After giving birth, there is an increase in intravascular volume. The cardiac output is most likely caused by an increased stroke volume from the venous return now. The elevated stroke volume leads to a decreased heart rate.

The nurse is assisting a postpartum woman out of bed to the bathroom for a sitz bath. Which of the following would be a priority? A) Placing the call light within her reach B) Teaching her how the sitz bath works C) Telling her to use the sitz bath for 30 minutes D) Cleaning the perineum with the peri-bottle

Ans: A Tremendous hemodynamic changes are taking place within the woman, and safety must be a priority. Therefore, the nurse makes sure that the emergency call light is within her reach should she become dizzy or lightheaded. Teaching her how to use the sitz bath, including using it for 15 to 20 minutes, is appropriate but can be done once the woman's safety is ensured. The woman should clean her perineum with a peri-bottle before using the sitz bath, but this can be done once the woman's safety needs are met.

A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a postpartum client. The nurse identifies that the woman is at risk for a postpartum infection based on which of the following? (Select all that apply.) A) History of diabetes B) Labor of 12 hours C) Rupture of membranes for 16 hours D) Hemoglobin level 10 mg/dL E) Placenta requiring manual extraction

Ans: A, D, E Risk factors for postpartum infection include history of diabetes, labor over 24 hours, hemoglobin less than 10.5 mg/dL, prolonged rupture of membranes (more than 24 hours), and manual extraction of the placenta.

A nurse is working as part of a committee to establish policies to promote bonding and attachment. Which practice would be least effective in achieving this goal? A) Allowing unlimited visiting hours on maternity units B) Offering round-the-clock nursery care for all infants C) Promoting rooming-in D) Encouraging infant contact immediately after birth

Ans: B Factors that can affect attachment include separation of the infant and parents for long times during the day, such as if the infant was being cared for in the nursery throughout the day. Unlimited visiting hours, rooming-in, and infant contact immediately after birth promote bonding and attachment.

After a normal labor and birth, a client is discharged from the hospital 12 hours later. When the community health nurse makes a home visit 2 days later, which finding would alert the nurse to the need for further intervention? A) Presence of lochia serosa B) Frequent scant voiding C) Fundus firm, below umbilicus D) Milk filling in both breasts

Ans: B Infrequent or insufficient voiding may be a sign of infection and is not a normal finding on the second postpartum day. Lochia serosa, a firm fundus below the umbilicus, and milk filling the breasts are expected findings.

A nurse is observing a postpartum client interacting with her newborn and notes that the mother is engaging with the newborn in the en face position. Which of the following would the nurse be observing? A) Mother placing the newborn next to bare breast. B) Mother making eye-to-eye contact with the newborn C) Mother gently stroking the newborn's face D) Mother holding the newborn upright at the shoulder

Ans: B The en face position is characterized by the mother interacting with the newborn through eye-to-eye contact while holding the newborn.

The nurse administers RhoGAM to an Rh-negative client after delivery of an Rh-positive newborn based on the understanding that this drug will prevent her from: A) Becoming Rh positive B) Developing Rh sensitivity C) Developing AB antigens in her blood D) Becoming pregnant with an Rh-positive fetus

Ans: B The woman who is Rh-negative and whose infant is Rh-positive should be given Rh immune globulin (RhoGAM) within 72 hours after childbirth to prevent sensitization.

After teaching a postpartum woman about breast-feeding, the nurse determines that the teaching was successful when the woman states which of the following? A) "I should notice a decrease in abdominal cramping during breast-feeding." B) "I should wash my hands before starting to breast-feed." C) "The baby can be awake or sleepy when I start to feed him." D) "The baby's mouth will open up once I put him to my breast."

Ans: B To promote successful breast-feeding, the mother should wash her hands before breast feeding, and make sure that the baby is awake and alert and showing hunger signs. In addition, the mother should lightly tickle the infant's upper lip with her nipple to stimulate the infant to open the mouth wide and then bring the infant rapidly to the breast with a wide-open mouth. The mother also needs to know that her afterpains will increase during breast-feeding.

A postpartum woman who is bottle-feeding her newborn asks the nurse, "About how much should my newborn drink at each feeding?" The nurse responds by saying that to feel satisfied, the newborn needs which amount at each feeding? A) 1 to 2 ounces B) 2 to 4 ounces C) 4 to 6 ounces D) 6 to 8 ounces

Ans: B Feedback: Newborns need about 108 cal/kg or approximately 650 cal/day (Dudek, 2010). Therefore, explain to parents that a newborn will need to 2 to 4 ounces to feel satisfied at each feeding.

A nurse is developing a teaching plan for a postpartum woman who is breast-feeding about sexuality and contraception. Which of the following would the nurse most likely include? (Select all that apply.) A) Resumption of sexual intercourse about two weeks after delivery B) Possible experience of fluctuations in sexual interest C) Use of a water-based lubricant to ease vaginal discomfort D) Use of combined hormonal contraceptives for the first three weeks E) Possibility of increased breast sensitivity during sexual activity

Ans: B, C, E Typically, sexual intercourse can be resumed once bright-red bleeding has stopped and the perineum is healed from an episiotomy or lacerations. This is usually by the third to the sixth week postpartum. Fluctuations in sexual interest are normal. In addition, breast-feeding women may notice a let-down reflex during orgasm and find that breasts are very sensitive when touched by the partner. Precoital vaginal lubrication may be impaired during the postpartum period, especially in women who are breast-feeding. Use of water-based gel lubricants (KY jelly, Astroglide) can help. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that postpartum women not use combined hormonal contraceptives during the first 21 days after childbirth because of the high risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) during this period.

A nurse is observing a postpartum woman and her partner interact with their newborn. The nurse determines that the parents are developing parental attachment with their newborn when they demonstrate which of the following? (Select all that apply.) A) Frequently ask for the newborn to be taken from the room B) Identify common features between themselves and the newborn C) Refer to the newborn as having a monkey-face D) Make direct eye contact with the newborn E) Refrain from checking out the newborn's features

Ans: B, D Positive behaviors that indicate attachment include identifying common features and making direct eye contact with the newborn. Asking for the newborn to be taken out of the room, referring to the newborn as having a monkey-face and refraining from checking out the newborn's features are negative attachment behaviors.

After teaching a group of students about risk factors associated with postpartum hemorrhage, the instructor determines that the teaching was successful when the students identify which of the following as a risk factor? (Select all that apply.) A) Prolonged labor B) Placenta previa C) Null parity D) Hydramnios E) Labor augmentation

Ans: B, D, E Risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage include precipitous labor less than 3 hours, placenta previa or abruption, multiparity, uterine overdistention such as with a large infant, twins, or hydramnios, and labor induction or augmentation. Prolonged labor over 24 hours is a risk factor for postpartum infection.

A postpartum client has a fourth-degree perineal laceration. The nurse would expect which of the following medications to be ordered? A) Ferrous sulfate (Feosol) B) Methylergonovine (Methergine) C) Docusate (Colace) D) Bromocriptine (Parlodel)

Ans: C A stool softener such as docusate (Colace) may promote bowel elimination in a woman with a fourth-degree laceration, who may fear that bowel movements will be painful. Ferrous sulfate would be used to treat anemia. However, it is associated with constipation and would increase the discomfort when the woman has a bowel movement. Methylergonovine would be used to prevent or treat postpartum hemorrhage. Bromocriptine is used to treat hyperprolactinemia.

When reviewing the medical record of a postpartum client, the nurse notes that the client has experienced a third-degree laceration. The nurse understands that the laceration extends to which of the following? A) Superficial structures above the muscle B) Through the perineal muscles C) Through the anal sphincter muscle D) Through the anterior rectal wall

Ans: C A third-degree laceration extends through the anal sphincter muscle. A first-degree laceration involves only the skin and superficial structures above the muscle. A second-degree laceration extends through the perineal muscles. A fourth-degree laceration continues through the anterior rectal wall.

To decrease the pain associated with an episiotomy immediately after birth, which action by the nurse would be most appropriate? A) Offer warm blankets. B) Encourage the woman to void. C) Apply an ice pack to the site. D) Offer a warm sitz bath.

Ans: C An ice pack is the first measure used after a vaginal birth to provide perineal comfort from edema, an episiotomy, or lacerations. Warm blankets would be helpful for the chills that the woman may experience. Encouraging her to void promotes urinary elimination and uterine involution. A warm sitz bath is effective after the first 24 hours.

A primipara client who is bottle feeding her baby begins to experience breast engorgement on her third postpartum day. Which instruction would be most appropriate to aid in relieving her discomfort? A) "Express some milk from your breasts every so often to relieve the distention." B) "Remove your bra to relieve the pressure on your sensitive nipples and breasts." C) "Apply ice packs to your breasts to reduce the amount of milk being produced." D) "Take several warm showers daily to stimulate the milk let-down reflex."

Ans: C For the woman with breast engorgement who is bottle feeding her newborn, encourage the use of ice packs to decrease pain and swelling. Expressing milk from the breasts and taking warm showers would be appropriate for the woman who was breast-feeding. Wearing a supportive bra 24 hours a day also is helpful for the woman with engorgement who is bottle feeding.

A postpartum woman is having difficulty voiding for the first time after giving birth. Which of the following would be least effective in helping to stimulate voiding? A) Pouring warm water over her perineal area B) Having her hear the sound of water running nearby C) Placing her hand in a basin of cool water D) Standing her in the shower with the warm water on

Ans: C Helpful measures to stimulate voiding include placing her hand in a basin of warm water, pouring warm water over her perineal area, hearing the sound of running water nearby, blowing bubbles through a straw, standing in the shower with the warm water turned on, and drinking fluids.

Which of the following factors in a client's history would alert the nurse to an increased risk for postpartum hemorrhage? A) Multiparity, age of mother, operative delivery B) Size of placenta, small baby, operative delivery C) Uterine atony, placenta previa, operative procedures D) Prematurity, infection, length of labor

Ans: C Risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage include a precipitous labor less than 3 hours, uterine atony, placenta previa or abruption, labor induction or augmentation, operative procedures such as vacuum extraction, forceps, or cesarean birth, retained placental fragments, prolonged third stage of labor greater than 30 minutes, multiparity, and uterine overdistention such as from a large infant, twins, or hydramnios.

After teaching parents about their newborn, the nurse determines that the teaching was successful when they identify the development of a close emotional attraction to a newborn by parents during the first 30 to 60 minutes after birth as which of the following? A) Reciprocity B) Engrossment C) Bonding D) Attachment

Ans: C The development of a close emotional attraction to the newborn by parents during the first 30 to 60 minutes after birth describes bonding. Reciprocity is the process by which the infant's capabilities and behavioral characteristics elicit a parental response. Engrossment refers to the intense interest during early contact with a newborn. Attachment refers to the process of developing strong ties of affection between an infant and significant other.

A nurse is completing a postpartum assessment. Which finding would alert the nurse to a potential problem? A) Lochia rubra with a fleshy odor B) Respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute C) Temperature of 101° F D) Pain rating of 2 on a scale from 0 to 10

Ans: C : Typically, the new mother's temperature during the first 24 hours postpartum is within the normal range. Some women experience a slight fever, up to 38º C (100.4º F), during the first 24 hours. A temperature above 38º C (100.4º F) at any time or an abnormal temperature after the first 24 hours may indicate infection and must be reported. Foul-smelling lochia or lochia with an unexpected change in color or amount, shortness of breath, or respiratory rate below 16 or above 20 breaths per minute would also be a cause for concern. The goal of pain management is to have the woman's pain scale rating maintained between 0 to 2 points at all times, especially after breast-feeding.