The nurse is discussing the importance of doing Kegel exercises during the postpartum period. Which of the following should be included in the teaching plan?
- A. She should repeatedly contract and relax her rectal and thigh muscles.
- B. She should practice by stopping the urine flow midstream every time she voids.
- C. She should get on her hands and knees whenever performing the exercises.
- D. She should be taught that toned pubococcygeal muscles decrease blood loss.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Kegel exercises involve contracting the pelvic floor muscles, and one way to identify these muscles is by stopping the urine flow midstream.
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Hemabate has been ordered for a postpartum patient who has uncontrolled bleeding and uterine atony. Which is the appropriate nursing action?
- A. Check the patient’s vital signs first for hypotension, and lower the head of the bed.
- B. Check the patient’s blood glucose and increase the IV fluid rate.
- C. Check the patient’s record for a history of asthma, and ask the licensed provider for an order of an antidiarrheal medication.
- D. Check the patient’s record for a history of hypothyroid, and ask the licensed provider to order something for nausea.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The rationale is as follows:
1. Hemabate is a medication used to treat postpartum hemorrhage due to uterine atony.
2. Checking the patient's record for a history of asthma is crucial as Hemabate can exacerbate asthma symptoms.
3. Asking the provider for an antidiarrheal medication is appropriate to manage potential side effects of Hemabate.
4. Checking vital signs for hypotension (Choice A) is important but not the immediate nursing action.
5. Checking blood glucose and increasing IV fluids (Choice B) are not directly related to the administration of Hemabate.
6. Checking for a history of hypothyroid and asking for anti-nausea medication (Choice D) is irrelevant to Hemabate administration.
The nurse is caring for a postpartum woman and her 2-hour-old baby. The new mother has been preoccupied with breastfeeding and visitors, but suddenly she complains of dizziness and is light-headed. Which response by the nurse is appropriate?
- A. Explain that she needs to drink more fluids and eat because she needs to replace fluids and calories.
- B. Encourage the patient to rest, and ask a family member to watch the newborn in the crib.
- C. Tell the patient that the dizziness is probably caused by her pain medication and that it is normal.
- D. Obtain vital signs, assess fundal tone, and observe for excessive lochia.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Obtaining vital signs, assessing fundal tone, and observing for excessive lochia is appropriate to identify the cause of dizziness.
The nurse takes a newborn to a primipara for a feeding. The mother holds the baby en face, strokes his cheek, and states that this is the first newborn she has ever held. Which of the following nursing assessments is most appropriate?
- A. Positive bonding and client needs little teaching.
- B. Positive bonding but teaching related to newborn care is needed.
- C. Poor bonding and referral to a child abuse agency is essential.
- D. Poor bonding but there is potential for positive mothering.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The mother is engaging with the baby, indicating positive bonding, but further teaching on newborn care is still necessary.
What is the most common reason for late postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)?
- A. Subinvolution of the uterus
- B. Defective vascularity of the decidua
- C. Cervical lacerations
- D. Coagulation disorders
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Late postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), defined as occurring between 24 hours and up to 12 weeks after delivery, is most commonly due to subinvolution of the uterus. This occurs when the uterus fails to return to its normal pre-pregnancy size. Subinvolution can be caused by retained products of conception, uterine infection, uterine anomalies, or inadequate contraction of the uterine muscles. When the uterus does not contract effectively, it is unable to compress the blood vessels at the site of the placental attachment, leading to persistent bleeding. Subinvolution of the uterus is an important cause of late PPH and requires prompt intervention to prevent excessive blood loss and its associated complications.
A new father tells a nurse friend that his wife is agitated and acting in a bizarre fashion. She says that she hears voices. Her baby is 2 weeks old. The father is concerned about the care the mother is giving the baby. The nurse should:
- A. Tell the father that this is severe postpartum blues and will pass in a few days if he shows enough support.
- B. Suggest that the father try talking to his wife to find out what is bothering her about being a new mother.
- C. Explain that the mother will probably need psychotherapy and refer him to support groups.
- D. Tell the father to call the physician immediately and not to leave the woman alone with the baby.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The symptoms described may indicate postpartum psychosis a serious condition that requires immediate medical intervention to ensure the safety of both the mother and the baby.