A patient who has been on prolonged bedrest for bleeding associated with placenta previa was taken to the operating room for an emergency cesarean delivery. Sixteen hours postoperatively, the patient complains that her left leg is hurting. The nurse finds that the entire left leg is swollen and has pitting edema, while the right leg appears to be normal. Which order does the nurse anticipate when paging the health care provider to the room?
- A. White blood cell count (WBC)
- B. Ultrasound of the leg
- C. X-ray of the leg
- D. Serum creatinine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The swollen and painful leg may indicate a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and an ultrasound is the appropriate diagnostic test.
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A postpartum patient calls the clinic 4 days after the birth of her newborn because she is extremely tired and her vaginal bleeding is heavier. Which does the nurse anticipate when advising her to come in to the office right now?
- A. A hematocrit will be drawn, and the licensed provider will check for retained placental fragments.
- B. Her stress level and sleep deprivation will be evaluated, and a prescription for sleeping medication will be given.
- C. The perineum will be evaluated for lacerations that were missed.
- D. Reassure the client that this is all normal and provide a prescription for slow-release iron tablets.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. The nurse anticipates that a hematocrit will be drawn and the provider will check for retained placental fragments because heavy vaginal bleeding and extreme fatigue could indicate postpartum hemorrhage due to retained placental tissue. This is a serious complication that requires immediate medical attention to prevent further complications such as infection or hemorrhagic shock.
Choice B is incorrect because prescribing sleeping medication does not address the underlying cause of the symptoms. Choice C is incorrect because lacerations would typically have been evaluated and repaired during delivery, and would not likely be missed. Choice D is incorrect because reassuring the client without further evaluation could lead to potential serious consequences if the underlying issue of retained placental fragments is not addressed promptly.
The nurse evaluates a postpartum couplet for parent-infant attachment. What finding would be concerning?
- A. The postpartum person is sleepy.
- B. Parents are both caring for the infant.
- C. The parent is disinterested in the infant.
- D. The family is involved.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A lack of interest or emotional engagement with the infant is a concerning sign that may indicate attachment issues.
The nurse is preparing a postpartum patient for discharge. For which reasons does the nurse instruct the patient to call the primary care provider? Select all that apply.
- A. Foul-smelling lochia
- B. Hot, red, painful breasts
- C. Mild headache
- D. Not sleeping well
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Foul-smelling lochia is a sign of infection. Hot, red, painful breasts are a sign of infection. Frequent, painful urination is a sign of infection.
Which client is at greatest risk for early PPH?
- A. Primiparous woman (G 2, P 1-0-0-1) being prepared for an emergency cesarean birth for fetal distress
- B. Woman with severe preeclampsia on magnesium sulfate whose labor is being
- C. Multiparous woman (G 3, P 2-0-0-2) with an 8-hour labor
- D. Primigravida in spontaneous labor with preterm twins
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because a woman with severe preeclampsia on magnesium sulfate is at the greatest risk for early postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) due to the increased risk of placental abruption, coagulopathy, and uterine atony associated with preeclampsia and magnesium sulfate use. Preeclampsia can lead to poor placental perfusion, increasing the risk of hemorrhage during and after delivery. Magnesium sulfate can also affect blood clotting mechanisms, further increasing the risk of excessive bleeding. The other choices are less likely to be at greatest risk for early PPH. Choice A involves a primiparous woman with cesarean delivery, which may have controlled bleeding. Choice C is a multiparous woman with a relatively short labor duration, which is not a significant risk factor for early PPH. Choice D is a primigravida with preterm twins, which does not inherently increase the risk of early PPH
A 2-day postpartum mother, G2 P2002, states that her 2-year-old daughter at home is very excited about taking 'my baby sister ' home. Which of the following is an appropriate response by the nurse?
- A. It 's always nice when siblings are excited to have the babies go home.
- B. Your daughter is very advanced for her age. She must speak very well.
- C. Your daughter is likely to become very jealous of the new baby.
- D. Older sisters can be very helpful. They love to play mother.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: It is common for older siblings to feel jealousy when a new baby arrives. Preparing the child for the changes can help manage these feelings.