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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 nurse explains to the group that frequent urination during early pregnancy usually subsides at which time?
- A. When the placenta is fully developed
- B. When fetal kidneys begin to function
- C. When the uterus rises into the abdominal cavity
- D. When the hormonal balance is reestablished
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Frequent urination subsides in the second trimester as the uterus rises into the abdominal cavity, reducing bladder pressure.
The laboring client is experiencing problems, and the nurse is concerned about possible side effects from the epidural anesthetic just administered. Which problems should the nurse attribute to the epidural anesthetic? Select all that apply.
- A. Has breakthrough sharp pain
- B. Blood pressure is increased
- C. Has a pounding headache
- D. Unable to feel a full bladder
- E. Has an elevated temperature
Correct Answer: A,C,D,E
Rationale: Breakthrough pain can occur when the continuous infusion rate of the anesthetic agent is below the recommended rate for a therapeutic dose. Breakthrough pain can also occur when the client has a full bladder or when the cervix is completely dilated. A spinal headache can be a complication of epidural anesthesia and occurs when the dura is accidently punctured during epidural placement. A sensory level of T10 is usually maintained during epidural anesthesia; most women are unable to feel a full bladder or to void after receiving an epidural anesthetic. Maternal temperature may be elevated to 100.1°F (37.8°C) or higher with an epidural. Sympathetic blockade may decrease sweat production and diminish heat loss. Hypertension is a contraindication for epidural anesthesia. A major side effect of epidural anesthesia is hypotension (not hypertension) caused by a spinal blockade, which lowers peripheral resistance, decreases venous return to the heart, and subsequently lessens cardiac output and lowers BP.
The client in labor received an epidural anesthesia 20 minutes ago. The nurse assesses that the client’s BP is 98/62 mm Hg and that the client is lying supine. What should the nurse do next?
- A. Increase the lactated Ringer’s infusion rate.
- B. Elevate the client’s legs for 2 to 3 minutes.
- C. Place the bed in 10- to 20-degree Trendelenburg.
- D. Position the client in a left side-lying position.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The first action is to place the client in a left side-lying position. This displaces the uterus and alleviates aortocaval compression. Increasing the infusion rate may be implemented if repositioning the client does not correct the hypotension. Elevating the client’s legs for 2 to 3 minutes is done with severe or prolonged hypertension to increase blood return from the extremities. It may be implemented after repositioning to left side, increasing the IV rate, and placing in Trendelenburg position. Placing in 10- to 20-degree Trendelenburg position is usually implemented if the BP does not increase within 1 to 2 minutes after repositioning to left side and increasing the IV flow rate.
The nurse is evaluating a breastfeeding session. The nurse determines that the infant has appropriately latched on to the mother’s breast when which observations are made? Select all that apply.
- A. The mother reports a firm tugging feeling on her nipple.
- B. A smacking sound is heard each time the baby sucks.
- C. The infant’s mouth covers only the mother’s nipple.
- D. The baby’s nose, mouth, and chin are touching the breast.
- E. The infant’s cheeks are rounded when sucking.
- F. The infant’s swallowing can be heard after sucking.
Correct Answer: A,D,E,F
Rationale: If the latch is correct, the mother should feel only a firm tugging and not pain or pinching when the infant sucks. A smacking or clicking noise heard when the infant sucks is an indication that the latch is incorrect and that the infant’s tongue may be inappropriately placed. Sucking only on the mother’s nipple will cause sore nipples, and milk will not be ejected from the milk ducts. When an infant is correctly latched to the breast, 2 to 3 centimeters (1/3 to 3/4 inch) of areola should be covered by the infant’s mouth. If this occurs, it will result in the infant’s nose, mouth, and chin touching the breast. When the infant is latched correctly, the cheeks will be rounded rather than dimpled. When the infant is latched correctly, the swallowing will be audible.
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.