Maternal and Newborn Nursing Related

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A nurse is assessing a client who is 8 hr postpartum and multiparous. Which of the following findings should alert the nurse to the client's need to urinate?

  • A. Moderate lochia rubra
  • B. Fundus three fingerbreadths above the umbilicus
  • C. Moderate swelling of the labia
  • D. Blood pressure 130/84 mm Hg
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: A fundus three fingerbreadths above the umbilicus indicates that the uterus is not adequately contracting, which can obstruct the flow of urine from the bladder. Postpartum clients often experience urinary retention due to decreased sensation in the bladder, trauma from delivery, and decreased bladder tone. Failure to empty the bladder promptly can lead to urinary retention and potential complications such as urinary tract infections or bladder distention. Therefore, the nurse should be alert to the client's need to urinate when assessing the fundal height.