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The client, who delivered a 4200-g baby 4 hours ago, continues to have bright red, heavy vaginal bleeding. The nurse assesses the client’s fundus and finds it to be firm and midway between the symphysis pubis and umbilicus. What should the nurse do next?
- A. Continue to monitor the client’s bleeding and weigh the peripads.
- B. Call the client’s HCP and request an additional visual examination.
- C. Prepare to give oxytocin to stimulate uterine muscle contraction.
- D. Document the findings as normal with no interventions needed at that time.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Although the nurse would definitely need to continue to monitor the amount and quality of bleeding, additional intervention is also needed. The nurse should consider the possibility of a vaginal wall or cervical laceration, which could produce heavy, bright red bleeding. The HCP should be notified and asked to perform a visual exam of the vagina to assess for possible lacerations in need of repair. Preparing to administer oxytocin (Pitocin) would be appropriate if the source of bleeding was suspected to be uterine atony, but the uterus is firm and in the expected location. Documenting the findings without further intervention would lead to a failure to identify the source of increased bleeding resulting in possible client injury. Further assessments and interventions are needed.
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The nurse is assessing the postpartum client, who is 5 hours postdelivery. Initially, the nurse is unable to palpate the client’s uterine fundus. Prioritize the nurse’s actions to locate the client’s fundus by placing each step in the correct sequence.
- A. Place the side of one hand just above the client’s symphysis pubis.
- B. Press deeply into the abdomen.
- C. Place the other hand at the level of the umbilicus.
- D. Massage the abdomen in a circular motion.
- E. Position the client in the supine position.
- F. If the fundus is not felt, move the upper hand lower on the abdomen and repeat the massage.
Correct Answer: E,A,C,B,D,F
Rationale: Position the client in supine so the height of the uterus is not influenced by an elevated position. Place the side of one hand just above the client’s symphysis pubis. This supports the lower uterine segment and prevents the inadvertent inversion of the uterus during palpation. Place the other hand at the level of the umbilicus. This is the expected location of the uterine fundus on the day of delivery. Press deeply into the abdomen to allow the massage to reach the fundus. Massage the abdomen in a circular motion. This massage should stimulate the uterus to contract and allow location of the fundus to be determined. If the fundus is not felt, move the upper hand lower on the abdomen and repeat the massage. Involution could potentially be occurring more rapidly than expected if the client is breastfeeding and/or had an uncomplicated labor and birth.
The nurse is providing nutrition counseling to the client during her first prenatal clinical visit. Which statement, if made by the client, indicates that the client has an understanding of some of the nutritional requirements during pregnancy?
- A. “I can eat cheese as an alternative to milk, as I don’t care for milk.”
- B. “I should be eating more at each meal because I’m eating for two.”
- C. “I will need to limit my calories because I am already overweight.”
- D. “I should limit myself to eating only three healthy meals per day.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cheese is a milk product and is an alternative to milk. This statement indicates understanding of nutritional requirements regarding milk and milk products. Caloric intake needs to increase by 300 kcal per day during pregnancy to meet increased metabolic needs. However, “I’m eating for two” is a common misconception and leads to caloric intake greater than necessary. Caloric intake needs to increase by 300 kcal per day and should not be limited during pregnancy. Nutritional snacks throughout the day can provide for steady blood glucose levels and decrease the nausea associated with pregnancy. A limit of only three meals per day may not provide the client with enough calories to meet increased metabolic needs or may cause the client to eat more at each meal and increase nausea and bloating.
The nurse correctly explains that fertilization usually takes place in which structure?
- A. Fallopian tube
- B. Ovary
- C. Uterus
- D. Vagina
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fertilization typically occurs in the fallopian tube, where the sperm meets the ovum after ovulation.
Which response by the nurse is most relevant when another participant talks about having recurrent mood swings?
- A. Try to avoid fatigue and decrease your stress.
- B. You need to be assessed for a possible mood disorder.
- C. Mood swings are caused by increased blood volume.
- D. Are you ambivalent about the pregnancy?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Avoiding fatigue and stress helps manage mood swings, which are common due to hormonal changes in pregnancy.
The nurse is evaluating the 39-weeks-pregnant client who reports greenish, foul-smelling vaginal discharge. Her temperature is 101.6°F (38.7°C), and the FHR is 120 with minimal variability and no accelerations. The client’s group beta streptococcus (GBS) culture is positive. Which interventions should the nurse plan to implement? Select all that apply.
- A. Prepare for cesarean birth due to chorioamnionitis
- B. Start oxytocin for labor induction
- C. Start antibiotics as directed for the GBS infection
- D. Prepare the client for epidural anesthesia
- E. Notify the neonatologist of the client’s status
- F. Administer a cervical ripening agent
Correct Answer: A,C,D,E
Rationale: Because this client is not in labor and chorioamnionitis is possible, a cesarean birth is indicated. The client should be given antibiotics as prescribed to treat the infection. Because epidural anesthesia offers the least risk to the fetus, preparation for epidural anesthesia should begin. The pediatrician or neonatologist should be notified and available for the impending delivery. Starting oxytocin (Pitocin) would prolong the time to delivery. Administering a cervical ripening agent would prolong the time to delivery.