NU143- Chapter 15: Postpartum Adaptations
The nurse is looking at the latest lab work for her postpartum client. The client's predelivery hemoglobin and hematocrit (H & H) was 12.8 and 39, respectively. This morning, the client's values are 8.9 and 30. How would the nurse interpret these lab values?
The health care provider needs to be notified of the latest lab values.
The nurse is reviewing the health records of several clients who gave birth during the previous shift. For which client would the nurse monitor more frequently for maternal hemorrhage?
a client diagnosed with placenta succenturiate
breast-feeding
a dynamic process, which requires coupling between periodic motions of the infant's jaws, undulation of the tongue, and breast milk ejection reflex
When assessing the uterus of a 2-day postpartum client, which finding would the nurse evaluate as normal?
a moderate amount of lochia rubra
A nurse on the postpartum floor is conducting a class on danger signs for postpartum women after discharge. The nurse recognizes that further teaching is needed when a new mother makes which statement?
"I am breastfeeding so I can anticipate that there will be reddened, painful areas in my breasts when I am engorged."
After teaching a group of pregnant women about the skin changes that will occur after the birth of their newborn, the nurse understands there is a need for additional teaching when one of the women makes which statement?
"I can't wait for these stretch marks to disappear after I give birth."
A mother just gave birth 3 hours ago. The nurse enters the room to continue hourly assessments and finds the client on the phone telling the listener about her fear while driving to the hospital and not making it in time. The mother finishes the call, and the nurse begins her assessment with which phrase?
"It sounded like you had quite a time getting here. Would you like to continue your story?"
The postpartum client and her husband are excited about their new baby. However, they are also concerned about getting pregnant again too soon and ask about using birth control. Which instruction should the nurse include in their discharge education to address this issue?
"Ovulation may return as soon as 3 weeks after birth."
A woman who delivered her infant 2 days ago asks the nurse why she wakes up at night drenched in sweat. She is concerned that this is a problem. The nurse's best reply would be:
"Sweating is very normal for the first few days after childbirth because your body needs to get rid of all the excess water from pregnancy."
A client who had a vaginal birth 2 days ago asks the nurse when she will be able to breathe normally again. Which response by the nurse is accurate?
"Within 1 to 3 weeks, your diaphragm should return to normal, and your breathing will feel like it did before your pregnancy."
Uterine Involution
1. Contraction of muscle fibers to reduce those previously stretched during pregnancy 2. Catabolism, which shrinks enlarged, individual myometrial cells 3. Regeneration of uterine epithelium from the lower layer of the decidua after the upper layers have been sloughed off and shed during lochial discharge
The nurse is assessing Ms. Smith, who gave birth to her first child 5 days ago. What findings by the nurse would be expected? a. Cream-colored lochia; uterus above the umbilicus b. Bright-red lochia with clots; uterus 2 fingerbreadths below umbilicus c. Light pink or brown lochia; uterus 4 to 5 fingerbreadths below umbilicus d. Yellow, mucousy lochia; uterus at the level of the umbilicus
c. Light pink or brown lochia; uterus 4 to 5 fingerbreadths below umbilicus
The postpartum client is reporting her left calf hurts and it is making it difficult for her to walk. The nurse predicts which factor is contributing to this situation after finding an area of warmth and redness?
increased coagulation factors
The nurse is assessing a postpartum woman and is concerned the client may be hemorrhaging. Which assessment finding is the nurse finding most concerning?
increased heart rate
A nurse notes a woman's prelabor vital signs were: temperature 98.8° F (37.1° C); BP 120/70 mm Hg; heart rate 80 bpm. and respirations 20 breaths/min. Which assessment findings during the early postpartum period should the nurse prioritize?
BP 90/50 mm Hg, heart rate 120 bpm, respirations 24 breaths/min.
A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a postpartum client about possible complications after returning home. For which finding will the client contact the health care provider?
increasing amount and darkening of the color of lochia
The nurse is making a home visit to a woman who is 5 days' postpartum. Which finding would concern the nurse and warrant further investigation?
lochia rubra
A nurse is caring for a client on the second day postpartum. The client informs the nurse that she is voiding a large volume of urine frequently. Which factor should the nurse identify as a potential cause for urinary frequency?
postpartum diuresis
Role Development Process- stage 2
reality
lochia serosa
second stage. It is pinkish brown and is expelled 3 to 10 days postpartum. Lochia serosa primarily contains leukocytes, decidual tissue, red blood cells, and serous fluid
A woman who delivered her newborn by cesarean birth is admitted to the postpartum unit. During the delivery, the mother received two doses of morphine sulfate. The nurse notes that the client's respiratory rate is 11 and her oxygen saturation is 93%. What should the nurse do first?
Notify the health care provider of the findings.
afterpains
Part of the involution process involves uterine contractions (painful)
A nurse is developing a plan of care for a postpartum woman, newborn, and partner to facilitate the attachment process. Which intervention would be appropriate for the nurse to include in the plan?
Ensure early and frequent parent-newborn interactions.
The nurse's assessment identified signs that the client is depressed. What is the nurse's greatest concern for a client who is depressed?
Harm to self
A nurse is performing an assessment on a female client who gave birth 24 hours ago. On assessment, the nurse finds that the fundus is 2 cm above the umbilicus and boggy. Which intervention is a priority?
Have the client void, and then massage the fundus until it is firm.
A concerned client tells the nurse that her husband, who was very excited about the baby before its birth, is apparently happy but seems to be afraid of caring for the baby. What suggestion should the nurse give to the client's husband to resolve the issue?
Hold the baby frequently.
Which assessment finding 1 hour after birth should be reported to the health care provider?
Lochia rubra is saturating a pad every 45 to 60 minutes.
Postpartum breast engorgement occurs 48 to 72 hours after giving birth. What physiologic change influences breast engorgement? a. An increase in blood and lymph supply to the breasts b. An increase in estrogen and progesterone levels c. Colostrum production increases dramatically. d. Fluid retention in the breasts due to the intravenous fluids given during labor
a. An increase in blood and lymph supply to the breasts
An adolescent primipara was cautious at first when holding and touching her newborn. She seemed almost afraid to make contact with the baby and only touched it lightly and briefly. However, 48 hours after the birth, the nurse now notices that the new mother is pressing the newborn's cheek against her own and kissing her on the forehead. The nurse recognizes these actions as:
attachment.
While caring for a client following a lengthy labor and birth, the nurse notes that the client repeatedly reviews her labor and birth and is very dependent on her family for care. The nurse is correct in identifying the client to be in which phase of maternal role adjustment?
taking-in
taking-hold phase
the second phase of maternal adaptation, is characterized by dependent and independent maternal behavior
Immediately after childbirth in the recovery area, the nurse observes the mother's partner's fascination and interest in the new son. This behavior is often termed: a. Attachment b. Engrossment c. Bonding d. Temperament
b. Engrossment
lactation
the secretion of milk by the breasts
taking-in phase
time immediately after birth when the client needs sleep, depends on others to meet her needs, and relives the events surrounding the birth process
Role Development Process- Stage 3
transition to mastery
The nurse would expect a postpartum woman to demonstrate lochia in which sequence? a. Rubra, alba, serosa b. Rubra, serosa, alba c. Serosa, alba, rubra d. Alba, rubra, serosa
b. Rubra, serosa, alba
puerperium period
begins after the delivery of the placenta and lasts approximately 6 weeks
In the taking-in maternal role phase described by Rubin (1984), the nurse would expect the woman's behavior to be characterized as which of the following? a. Gaining self-confidence b. Adjusting to her new relationships c. Being passive and dependent d. Resuming control over her life
c. Being passive and dependent
A nurse is caring for a client with postpartum hemorrhage. What should the nurse identify as the significant cause of postpartum hemorrhage?
uterine atony
A postpartum woman is experiencing subinvolution. When reviewing the client's history for factors that might contribute to this condition, which factors would the nurse identify? Select all that apply.
uterine infection prolonged labor hydramnios
engrossment
characterized by seven behaviors: 1. Visual awareness of the newborn 2. Tactile awareness of the newborn 3. Perception of the newborn as perfect 4. Strong attraction to the newborn 5. Awareness of distinct features of the newborn 6. Extreme elation 7. Increased sense of self-esteem
After the nurse provides instructions to a postpartum woman about postpartum blues, which statement would indicate understanding of it? I will a. "Need to take medication daily to treat the anxiety and sadness." b. "Call the OB support line only if I start to hear voices." c. "Contact my doctor if I become dizzy and fell nauseated." d. "Feel like laughing 1 minute and crying the next minute."
d. "Feel like laughing 1 minute and crying the next minute."
Prioritize the postpartum mother's needs 4 hours after giving birth by placing a number 1, 2, 3, or 4 in the blank before each need. a. _________ Learn how to hold and cuddle the infant. b. _________Watch a baby bath demonstration given by the nurse. c. _________ Sleep and rest without being disturbed for a few hours. d. _________ Interaction time (first 30 minutes) with the infant to facilitate bonding
d. 1 c. 2 a. 3 b. 4
The nurse is explaining to a postpartum woman 48 hours after her giving childbirth that the afterpains she is experiencing can be the result of which of the following? a. Abdominal cramping is a sign of endometriosis. b. A small infant weighing less than 8 pounds c. Pregnancies that were too closely spaced d. Contractions of the uterus after birth
d. Contractions of the uterus after birth
The nurse is making a home visit to a woman who is 4 days postpartum. Which finding would indicate to the nurse that the woman is experiencing a problem?
uterus 1 cm below umbilicus
lochia
vaginal discharge that occurs after birth and continues for approximately four to eight weeks
lochia rubra
deep-red mixture of mucus, tissue debris, and blood that occurs for the first 3 to 4 days after birth. As uterine bleeding subsides, it becomes paler and more serous
Role Development Process- stage 1
expectations
lochia alba
final stage. The discharge is creamy white or light brown and consists of leukocytes, decidual tissue, and reduced fluid content. It occurs from days 10 to 14 but can last 3 to 6 weeks postpartum in some women and still be considered normal
A client in her sixth week postpartum reports general weakness. The client has stopped taking iron supplements that were prescribed to her during pregnancy. The nurse would assess the client for which condition?
hypovolemia
