Two hours after delivery, the mother tells the nurse that she will be bottle feeding. She asks what she can do to prevent the terrible pain experienced when her milk came in with her last baby. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
- A. “Once you have recovered from the birth, I will help you bind your breasts.”
- B. “Engorgement is familial. If you had it with your last baby, it is inevitable.”
- C. “I can help you put on a supportive bra; wear one constantly for 1 to 2 weeks.”
- D. “Engorgement occurs right after birth; if you don’t have it yet, it won’t occur.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In comparison studies between breast binders and bras, mothers using binders experienced more engorgement and discomfort. Engorgement is not familial and not inevitable in bottle-feeding mothers. Wearing a supportive, well-fitting bra within 6 hours after birth can suppress lactation. The bra should be worn continuously, except for showering, until lactation is suppressed (usually 7 to 14 days). Signs of engorgement usually occur on the third to fifth postpartum day (not right after birth), and engorgement will spontaneously resolve by the tenth day postpartum.
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The nurse receives report for four postpartum clients. In which order should the nurse assess the clients? Prioritize the clients in order from first to last.
- A. The client who had a normal, spontaneous vaginal delivery 30 minutes ago.
- B. The client who had a cesarean section 48 hours ago and is bottle feeding her newborn infant.
- C. The client who had a vaginal delivery 32 hours ago and is having difficulty breastfeeding.
- D. The client who delivered her newborn via scheduled C-section 8 hours ago and has a PCA pump with morphine for pain control.
Correct Answer: A,D,C,B
Rationale: The client who had a normal, spontaneous vaginal delivery 30 minutes ago is priority. The first 2 hours after delivery is a time of transition, characterized by rapid changes in hemodynamic and physiological state for both the client and her newborn. The client who delivered her newborn via scheduled C-section 8 hours ago and has a PCA pump with morphine for pain control should be assessed next. Although she is 8 hours postpartum and probably stable, she is receiving morphine, and her respiratory status should be monitored Drag and Droply. The client who had a vaginal delivery 32 hours ago and is having difficulty breastfeeding should be assessed next. Newborn infants should successfully breastfeed every 2—3 hours. Failing to breastfeed with adequate amount and frequency may lead to newborn complications such as excessive weight loss and jaundice. The client who had a cesarean section 48 hours ago and is bottle feeding her newborn infant should be seen last; there is nothing indicating urgency.
The client is hospitalized at 30 weeks’ gestation in preterm labor. A test is performed to determine the lecithin to sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio, with results indicating a ratio less than 2:1. The nurse planning care for the client should expect to implement which interventions? Select all that apply.
- A. Administering hydralazine
- B. Maintaining the client on bedrest
- C. Preparing the client for a nonstress test
- D. Giving betamethasone
- E. Administering metronidazole
Correct Answer: B,C,D
Rationale: Bed rest will maximize placental oxygenation while fetal lung maturity continues. The client should be prepared for a nonstress test. This is used to monitor for uterine contractions and labor. Labor needs to be stopped until the fetal lungs are more fully developed. Betamethasone (Celestone Soluspan) is a corticosteroid and is given to stimulate fetal lung maturity. Hydralazine (Apresoline) is an antihypertensive agent and is administered to clients experiencing preeclampsia, not preterm labor. Metronidazole (Flagyl) is an antiprotozoal and antibacterial agent used to treat a vaginal infection; there is no indication that the client has a vaginal infection.
The nurse correctly explains that the bleeding is the result of sloughing of which structure?
- A. Endometrium
- B. Myometrium
- C. Epimetrium
- D. None of the above
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Menstrual bleeding occurs due to the sloughing of the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus, when pregnancy does not occur.
The client presents with vaginal bleeding at 7 weeks. Which action should be taken by the nurse first?
- A. Take the client’s vital signs
- B. Prepare examination equipment
- C. Give 2 liters oxygen per nasal cannula
- D. Assess the client’s response to the situation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Assessing the client’s VS should be completed first. Bleeding can cause hypotension. Although preparing examination equipment is important, the nurse should first focus on the client. Having oxygen available is important, but there is no indication that the client needs oxygen at this time. Assessing the client’s response is important, but assessment of physiological problems should occur first.
The nurse’s laboring client is being electronically monitored during her labor. The baseline FHR throughout the labor has been in the 130s. In the last 2 hours, the baseline has decreased to the 100s. How should the nurse document this FHR?
- A. Tachycardia
- B. Bradycardia
- C. Late deceleration
- D. Within normal limits
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An FHR baseline less than 110 is classified as bradycardia. Tachycardia occurs when the baseline is greater than 160 bpm. A prolonged deceleration is defined as a change from the baseline FHR that occurs for 2 to 10 minutes before returning to baseline. A late deceleration is a gradual decrease and return of the FHR to baseline, associated with a uterine contraction. A decrease to the 100s is not within the normal range. The normal FHR is 120 to 160 bpm.