The client, who is 20 days postpartum, telephones the perinatal clinic to tell the nurse that she is having heavy, bright red bleeding since hospital discharge 18 days ago. Which instruction to the client is correct?
- A. “You need to come to the clinic immediately.”
- B. “Decrease physical activity until the bleeding stops.”
- C. “There is no need for concern; this is expected after birth.”
- D. “Call next week if the bleeding has not stopped by then.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lochia rubra that persists for longer than 2 weeks is suggestive of subinvolution of the uterus, which is the most common cause of delayed postpartum hemorrhage. The client should be seen in the clinic immediately to determine what is causing her abnormal lochial discharge. Increased physical activity can lead to increased lochial discharge, but the client is reporting continuous lochia rubra, which is abnormal. Lochia rubra is expected to last for up to 3 days after birth, not 20 days. Waiting until next week to be seen only delays determining the cause for her abnormal bleeding and increases the risk of the client for other complications.
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The home care nurse is visiting the mother and her 6-day-old son. The nurse observes that the infant is sleeping in a crib on his back and has a blanket draped over his body. The mother had been sleeping in a nearby room. Which statements are appropriate for the nurse to make in response to this situation? Select all that apply.
- A. “I’m glad to see that you are sleeping while your baby sleeps.”
- B. “Having your baby sleep on his back reduces the risk of SIDS.”
- C. “It is best for you to sleep in the same room as your newborn.”
- D. “Position your baby on his tummy and side when he is awake.”
- E. “When using a blanket, always tuck its sides under the mattress.”
Correct Answer: A,B,D
Rationale: This is an appropriate statement. Sleeping while the infant sleeps will help the mother get the rest she needs. This is an appropriate statement. The American Academy of Pediatricians recommends the supine position for infant sleeping to decrease the risk of SIDS. The mother should be in close proximity and ready to respond when the infant wakes and/or cries, but she does not need to sleep in the same room as the infant. This is an appropriate statement. While awake the infant should be positioned prone and side-lying to help build neck muscles and decrease the chance of deformation plagiocephaly. Deformation plagiocephaly is a malformation of the skull caused by consistently lying on the back. A blanket, if used, should swaddle the infant rather than being draped over the infant. Swaddling helps prevent suffocation. Tucking the blanket sides under the mattress does not prevent suffocation.
The nurse explains that true labor contractions are characterized by which feature?
- A. Irregular timing
- B. Increasing intensity and frequency
- C. Relief with walking
- D. Occurrence only at night
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: True labor contractions increase in intensity and frequency, distinguishing them from false labor.
The nurse assesses the client in her third trimester with suspected placenta previa. Which finding should the nurse associate with placenta previa?
- A. Cervix is 100% effaced
- B. Painless vaginal bleeding
- C. The fetal lie is transverse
- D. Absence of fetal movement
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In placenta previa, the abnormal location of the placenta causes painless, bright red vaginal bleeding as the lower uterine segment stretches and thins. The nurse should not perform a vaginal examination to determine effacement on the client with suspected placenta previa. The lie of the fetus is not associated with placenta previa. An absence of fetal movement is always cause for concern but is not a primary symptom of placenta previa.
Which clients are most likely to be identified as being at high risk for pregnancy complications? Select all that apply.
- A. A client who is pregnant for the fifth time
- B. A client who is 16 years old
- C. A client who has a history of twins in the family
- D. A client who has primary hypertensive disease
- E. A client who works 40 hours a week in a factory
- F. A client who reports spotting in the first trimester
Correct Answer: A,B,D,F
Rationale: Multiple pregnancies, young age, hypertension, and spotting increase complication risks; twins or work hours are less significant.
The nurse teaches the client to monitor which newborn condition?
- A. Umbilical cord stump for infection
- B. Daily weight gain over 1 pound
- C. Frequent crying as abnormal
- D. No bowel movements for a week
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Monitoring the umbilical cord stump for infection (redness, discharge) is critical for newborn health.