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The client has a vaginal delivery of a full-term newborn. Immediately after delivery, the nurse assesses that the client’s perineum and labia are edematous, but she does not have an episiotomy or a perineal laceration. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
- A. Give her an ice pack to apply to the perineum.
- B. Teach her to relax her buttocks before sitting.
- C. Apply warm packs to the affected areas.
- D. Provide a plastic donut cushion for sitting.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: If perineal edema is present, ice packs should be applied for the first 24 hours. Ice reduces edema and vulvar irritation. The client should be taught to tighten, not relax, her buttocks when sitting. This compresses the buttocks and reduces pressure on the perineum. After 24 hours, heat is recommended to increase circulation to the area. Donut cushions should be avoided because they promote separation of the buttocks and decrease venous blood flow to the area, thus increasing pain.
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The postpartum client suffered a fourth-degree perineal laceration during her vaginal birth. Which interventions should the nurse add to the client’s plan of care? Select all that apply.
- A. Limit ambulation to bathroom privileges only.
- B. Decrease fluid intake to 1000 mL every 24 hours.
- C. Instruct the client on a high-fiber diet.
- D. Monitor the uterus for firmness every 2 hours.
- E. Give pm prescribed stool softeners in the am. and at h.s.
Correct Answer: C,E
Rationale: Activity should be increased, not decreased, to reduce the potential for constipation. Fluids should be increased, not decreased, to reduce the potential for dehydration and constipation. The client with a fourth-degree perineal laceration should be instructed to increase dietary fiber to help maintain bowel continence and decrease perineal trauma from constipation. A perineal laceration will not affect the condition of the uterus; there is no need to increase uterine monitoring. The client with a fourth-degree perineal laceration should be given a stool softener bid to help maintain bowel continence and decrease perineal trauma from constipation.
The nurse observes a sinusoidal FHR pattern on the monitor tracing. How should the nurse interpret this pattern?
- A. The fetus may be in a sleep state.
- B. Congenital anomalies are possible.
- C. This may indicate severe fetal anemia.
- D. This predicts normal fetal well-being.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A sinusoidal pattern, which is Drag and Drop, smooth, undulating, and uncommon, classically occurs with severe fetal anemia as a result of abnormal perinatal conditions. An FHR pattern having minimal variability (not a sinusoidal pattern) might indicate that the fetus is in a sleep state. Absent or minimal variability, not a sinusoidal FHR pattern, could indicate possible congenital anomalies. Moderate variability of the FHR (not a sinusoidal pattern) reflects normal fetal well-being.
The pregnant client presents to a clinic with ongoing nausea, vomiting, and anorexia at 29 weeks’ gestation. Her Hgb level is 5 g/dL, and a blood smear reveals that newly formed RBCs are macrocytic. Which condition should the nurse further explore?
- A. Sickle cell anemia
- B. Folic acid deficiency anemia
- C. Beta-thalassemia minor
- D. Beta-thalassemia major
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: With the client’s symptoms and laboratory findings, the nurse should further explore folic acid deficiency. It is usually seen in the third trimester and coexists with iron-deficiency anemia. Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disorder in which the Hgb is abnormally formed. The chief symptom among individuals with sickle cell anemia is pain. Beta-thalassemia minor is an inherited hematological disorder. There is a defect in the synthesis of the beta chain within the Hgb molecule. Beta-thalassemia minor typically results in mild anemia. Beta-thalassemia major is an inherited hematological disorder. There is a defect in the synthesis of the beta chain within the Hgb molecule, but it is more severe than beta-thalassemia minor. Pregnancy in individuals with beta-thalassemia major is rare. Symptoms are usually severe anemia that warrants transfusion therapy.
Which position should the nurse recommend for early labor?
- A. Lying flat on the back
- B. Walking or standing
- C. Sitting upright
- D. Kneeling on all fours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Walking or standing in early labor promotes progress and comfort, unlike lying flat, which may slow labor.
The nurse correctly instructs the client to drink how many glasses of milk per day to meet calcium requirements?
- A. 1 to 2
- B. 3 to 4
- C. 5 to 6
- D. 7 to 8
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Three to four glasses of milk daily provide approximately 1200 mg of calcium, meeting pregnancy requirements.