When teaching the postpartum woman about peripads, the nurse should tell her that:
- A. She can change to tampons when the initial perineal soreness goes away.
- B. Pads having cold packs within them usually hold more lochia than regular pads.
- C. Blood-soaked pads must be returned in a plastic bag to the hospital after discharge.
- D. The pads should be applied and removed in a front to back direction.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The pads should be applied and removed in a front-to-back direction to reduce the risk of infection.
You may also like to solve these questions
A postpartum cesarean patient comes into the rural health clinic at 1 week postdelivery for an incision check by the nurse. The vital signs reveal a temperature of 100.5°F, and the patient reports moderate foul-smelling lochia. The nurse determines that the skin incision is healing normally, but when palpating the uterus, she discovers the patient to have uterine and pelvic tenderness. What are the most appropriate nursing actions?
- A. Explain to the patient that she may have an infection of her uterus, and blood will need to be drawn to determine if this is the cause of her pain and excess bleeding.
- B. Explain that the client should rest more to help the bleeding slow and that she should return to the clinic if she isn’t feeling better in a few days.
- C. Explain to the patient that she is experiencing normal postoperative pain and bleeding and to come back for her scheduled 6-week postpartum checkup.
- D. Explain to the patient that the incision appears to be healing nicely. Have her take Tylenol for the elevated temperature and continue with the ordered pain medication until her next visit.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The foul-smelling lochia, fever, and uterine tenderness point toward a uterine infection, requiring further investigation.
The nurse is providing postpartum care for a patient after a vaginal delivery. Which assessment finding causes the nurse to suspect endometritis from beta-hemolytic streptococcus?
- A. Scant amount of odorless lochia
- B. Presence of headache, malaise, and chills
- C. Pain or discomfort in the midline lower abdomen
- D. Elevated temperature greater than 100.4°F (38°C)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Endometritis from beta-hemolytic streptococcus specifically exhibits scant, odorless lochia in addition to the more universal signs of infection.
The most effective and least expensive treatment of puerperal infection is prevention. What is the most important strategy for the nurse to adopt?
- A. Large doses of vitamin C during pregnancy
- B. Prophylactic antibiotics
- C. Strict aseptic technique, including hand washing, by all health care personnel
- D. Limited protein and fat intake
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale:
Choice C is correct because strict aseptic technique, including hand washing, is crucial in preventing puerperal infection by minimizing the transmission of pathogens. Proper hand hygiene is a fundamental practice in infection control. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because large doses of vitamin C, prophylactic antibiotics, and limited protein and fat intake do not directly address the primary mode of infection transmission and prevention for puerperal infection. Vitamin C, antibiotics, and dietary restrictions are not the primary strategies in preventing puerperal infections compared to the importance of proper hand hygiene and aseptic technique.
What is a risk factor for uterine atony?
- A. small for gestational age
- B. primipara
- C. multiple gestation
- D. intrauterine growth restriction
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Risk factors for uterine atony include multiple gestation and large infants.
Which is the initial treatment for the client with vWD who experiences a PPH?
- A. Cryoprecipitate
- B. Factor VIII and von Willebrand factor (vWf)
- C. Desmopressin
- D. Hemabate
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct initial treatment for vWD client with PPH is desmopressin (Choice C) because it stimulates the release of von Willebrand factor and factor VIII from storage sites, helping to improve clotting. Cryoprecipitate (Choice A) contains multiple clotting factors and is usually reserved for severe bleeding. Factor VIII and vWf (Choice B) can be used for severe cases but are not typically the initial treatment. Hemabate (Choice D) is a medication used for postpartum hemorrhage due to uterine atony, not specifically for vWD-related bleeding.