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What is one of the initial signs and symptoms of puerperal infection in the postpartum client?
- A. Fatigue continuing for longer than 1 week
- B. Pain with voiding
- C. Profuse vaginal lochia with ambulation
- D. Temperature of 38° C (100.4° F) or higher on 2 successive days
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher on 2 successive days is a key sign of puerperal infection. This is due to the body's response to infection. Fatigue (choice A) can be a symptom but is nonspecific. Pain with voiding (choice B) may indicate a urinary tract infection. Profuse vaginal lochia (choice C) may be normal postpartum.
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A breastfeeding patient who is 5 weeks postpartum calls the clinic and reports that she is achy all over, has a temperature of 100.2°F, and has pain and tenderness in her right breast. What is the nurse’s best response?
- A. You need to come to the clinic to be evaluated, as your symptoms indicate a possible breast infection.
- B. You are having normal signs of engorgement with breastfeeding. More frequent breastfeeding will relieve your symptoms.
- C. Please stop breastfeeding until you can come to see the clinic provider, as you may have a breast infection.
- D. You may be experiencing sleep deprivation, which can make you feel achy and sore. Try to sleep when the newborn sleeps.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because the patient's symptoms of achiness, fever, and pain in the breast are indicative of mastitis, a common breast infection in breastfeeding women. Prompt evaluation and treatment are necessary to prevent complications.
Choice B is incorrect as engorgement typically occurs in the first few days postpartum, not at 5 weeks.
Choice C is incorrect because stopping breastfeeding can worsen the infection and affect milk production.
Choice D is incorrect as the symptoms described are more likely due to an infection rather than just sleep deprivation.
The nurse palpates a distended bladder on a woman who delivered vaginally 2 hours earlier. The woman refuses to go to the bathroom, 'I really don 't need to go. ' Which of the following responses by the nurse is appropriate?
- A. Okay. I must be palpating your uterus.
- B. I understand but I still would like you to try to urinate.
- C. You still must be numb from the local anesthesia.
- D. That is a problem. I will have to catheterize you.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A distended bladder can lead to complications such as uterine atony. The nurse should encourage the woman to attempt urination, but if she refuses, further action may be necessary.
What important assessment should the nurse perform on all postpartum persons?
- A. Screen for PPD with the EPDS.
- B. Screen for drug use with a urine drug screen.
- C. Screen for breast-feeding failure.
- D. Screen for contraception contraindications.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Screening for PPD is essential during postpartum care.
What is a risk factor for PPD?
- A. vaginal birth
- B. family support
- C. traumatic birth
- D. breast-feeding
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A traumatic birth experience including complications or high-stress events increases the risk of postpartum depression (PPD).
A client has just been transferred to the postpartum unit from labor and delivery. Which of the following tasks should the registered nurse delegate to the nursing care assistant?
- A. Assess client 's fundal height.
- B. Teach client how to massage her fundus.
- C. Take the client 's vital signs.
- D. Document quantity of lochia in the chart.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nursing care assistant can take vital signs, while the registered nurse is responsible for more complex assessments like fundal height and teaching skills such as massaging the fundus.