The postpartum client is being discharged to home with a streptococcal puerperal infection. The client is taking antibiotics but asks the nurse what precautions she should take at home to prevent spreading the infection to her husband, newborn, and toddler. Which is the best response by the nurse?
- A. “No precautions are necessary since you are taking antibiotics.”
- B. “You should always wear a mask when caring for your newborn and toddler.”
- C. “Wash your hands before caring for your children and after toileting and perineal care.”
- D. “Your husband should provide all cares for both children until your infection is gone.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The course of an endometrial infection is approximately 7 to 10 days, and thus standard precautions should be in place for that period of time even if the client has started antibiotics. Puerperal infections are not spread by droplets, and thus a mask is not necessary. Other than hand hygiene, no additional precautions need to be taken by the client in her home. The client is able to provide cares for her children, but hand washing is required before cares.
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The nurse uses which tool to measure fundal height?
- A. Tape measure
- B. Doppler device
- C. Ultrasound machine
- D. Blood pressure cuff
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A tape measure is used to measure fundal height, assessing uterine growth and fetal development.
While assessing the breastfeeding mother 24 hours postdelivery, the nurse notes that the client’s breasts are hard and painful. Which interventions should be implemented by the nurse? Select all that apply.
- A. Tell her to feed a small amount from both breasts at each feeding.
- B. Apply ice packs to the breasts at intervals between feedings.
- C. Give supplemental formula at least once in a 24-hour period.
- D. Administer an anti-inflammatory medication prescribed pm.
- E. Apply warm, moist packs to the breasts between feedings.
- F. Pump the breasts as needed to ensure complete emptying.
Correct Answer: B,D,F
Rationale: Moving the baby from the initial breast to the second breast during the feeding, before the initial breast is completely emptied, may result in neither breast being totally emptied and thus promote continued engorgement. Because engorgement is caused, in part, by swelling of the breast tissue surrounding the milk gland ducts, applying ice at intervals between feedings will help to decrease this swelling. Giving supplemental formula, thus limiting the time the baby nurses at the breast, prevents total emptying of the breast and promotes increased engorgement. Administering anti-inflammatory medication will decrease breast pain and inflammation. Because heat application increases blood flow, moist heat packs would exacerbate the engorgement. Pumping the breasts may be necessary if the infant is unable to completely empty both breasts at each feeding. Pumping at this time will not cause a problematic increase in breast milk production.
The client is diagnosed with pregnancy-related diabetes at 28 weeks’ gestation. In teaching the client, the nurse includes which information for managing her blood glucose levels? Select all that apply.
- A. Drawing glycosylated hemoglobin A1c levels
- B. Performing home blood glucose monitoring
- C. Developing a weight management plan
- D. Engaging in appropriate daily exercise
- E. Taking oral diabetic agents in the am.
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D
Rationale: Hgb A1c will be drawn and monitored throughout the pregnancy, with a goal of reaching a level of less than 7%. Home blood glucose monitoring will help the client identify when her blood glucose is outside normal parameters. Excessive weight gain worsens control of glucose levels. Exercise adapted for the pregnant body is important to glucose control. Oral diabetic agents are contraindicated in pregnant clients.
Twenty-four hours post—vaginal delivery, the postpartum client tells the nurse that she is concerned because she has not had a bowel movement (BM) since before delivery. Which action should be taken by the nurse?
- A. Document the data in the client’s health care records
- B. Notify the health care provider immediately
- C. Administer a laxative that has been prescribed pm
- D. Assess the client’s abdomen and bowel sounds
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A spontaneous BM may not occur for 2 to 3 days after childbirth due to decreased muscle tone in the intestines during labor and the immediate postpartum period, possible prelabor diarrhea, and decreased food intake and dehydration during labor. Thus, documentation of the lack of a BM is the only action required. There is no need to notify the HCP for a normal finding. A laxative is unnecessary since a BM is not expected for 2 to 3 days postdelivery. Bowel sounds are not altered by a vaginal delivery, even though the passage of stool through the intestines is slowed.
Before the pelvic examination, which intervention by the nurse is most appropriate?
- A. Give the client an enema.
- B. Instruct the client to urinate.
- C. Shave the client's perineum.
- D. Give the client a mild sedative.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Instructing the client to urinate ensures a comfortable examination by emptying the bladder, which can interfere with pelvic assessment.