postpartum complications ch25

A postpartal woman is developing a thrombophlebitis in her right leg. Which assessment should the nurse no longer use to assess for thrombophlebitis?

"It's not uncommon after birth for you to have a full bladder even though you can't sense the fullness." Explanation: After a vaginal birth, the client should be encouraged to void every 4 to 6 hours. As a result of anesthesia and trauma, the client may be unable to sense the filling bladder. It is premature to catheterize the client without allowing her to attempt to void first. There is no need to contact the care provider at this time as the client is demonstrating common adaptations in the early postpartum period. Allowing the client's bladder to fill for another 2 to 3 hours might cause overdistention.

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 Explanation: Mastitis is characterized by a tender, hot, red, painful area on the affected breast. An inverted nipple is not associated with mastitis. With mastitis, the breast is distended with milk, the area is inflamed (not ecchymotic), and there is breast tenderness.

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

Avoid over-the-counter (OTC) salicylates. Explanation: Discharge teaching should include informing the client to avoid OTC salicylates, which may potentiate the effects of anticoagulant therapy. Iron will not affect anticoagulation therapy. Restrictive clothing should be avoided to prevent the recurrence of thrombophlebitis. Shortness of breath should be reported immediately because it may be a symptom of pulmonary embolism.

On examining a woman who gave birth 5 hours ago, the nurse finds that the woman has completely saturated a perineal pad within 15 minutes. Which action by the nurse should be implemented first?

Assess the woman's fundus. Explanation: In order to have a suggested idea of the location of the bleeding the nurse would need to assess the funds of the client first. Although all actions may be appropriate, they would not have the priority of fundal assessment.

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. Explanation: As fever would accompany a puerperal infection, a likely expected outcome would be to reduce the client's temperature and keep it in a normal range. The other expected outcomes do not pertain as directly to puerperal infection as does the reduced temperature.

Over 75% of women who give birth experience postpartum depression.

False Explanation: Although almost every woman notices some immediate (1 to 10 days postpartum) feelings of sadness (postpartal "blues") after childbirth, these feelings develop into postpartum depression in about 20%.

The nurse is caring for a 28-year-old client after the delivery of a healthy neonate. What would the nurse expect to find when assessing this client's fundus?

Fundus 1 cm above the umbilicus 1 hour postpartum Explanation: Within the first 12 hours postpartum, the fundus is usually approximately 1 cm above the umbilicus. The fundus should be below the umbilicus by postpartum day 3. The fundus shouldn't be palpated in the abdomen after day 10. A uterus that isn't midline or is above the umbilicus on postpartum day 3 might be caused by a full, distended bladder or a uterine infection.

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 Explanation: The nurse should monitor for rubra colored lochia, malodorous vaginal discharge, and increased uterine cramping when actual hemorrhage occurs in a client experiencing late postpartum hemorrhage. Fundal tenderness is a sign of endometritis. Oliguria is suggestive of bacteremia in clients. Increased rectal pressure is a sign of postpartal hematoma in a client

A nurse is caring for a client in the postpartum period. When observing the client's condition, the nurse notices that the client tends to speak incoherently. The client's thought process is disoriented, and she frequently indulges in obsessive concerns. The nurse notes that the client has difficulty in relaxing and sleeping. The nurse interprets these findings as suggesting which condition?

postpartum psychosis Explanation: The client's signs and symptoms suggest that the the client has developed postpartum psychosis. Postpartum psychosis is characterized by clients exhibiting suspicious and incoherent behavior, confusion, irrational statements, and obsessive concerns about the baby's health and welfare. Delusions, specific to the infant, are present. Sudden terror and a sense of impending doom are characteristic of postpartum panic disorders. Postpartum depression is characterized by a client feeling that her life is rapidly tumbling out of control. The client thinks of herself as an incompetent parent. Emotional swings, crying easily—often for no reason, and feelings of restlessness, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, headache, anxiety, loss of appetite, decreased ability to concentrate, irritability, sadness, and anger are common findings are characteristics of postpartum blues.

A client who is hypertensive and who received corticosteroids during pregnancy gave birth by cesarean and subsequently developed endometritis. Her incision is red, warm, and very sensitive to touch, and she remains febrile despite antibiotic therapy. What is the most important aspect of post hospital care the nurse should teach her?

wound care and hand washing Explanation: The use of systemic corticosteroids prior to birth has increased her risk for development of an infection. She has been treated for endometritis and is now at greater risk for infection. Hand washing is the best defense again transmission of any infection. While adherence to antibiotic therapy, proper perineal care, and use of warm compresses and sitz baths may be indicated, they would not be a higher priority than wound care and hand washing.