A new mother is breastfeeding and concerned that she has no milk for baby. One way you can show her that she does have milk or colostrum is by teaching her:
Manual Expression
Massaging breast to bring milk to the nipple
Using a nipple shield
Keeping infant skin to skin
The Correct Answer is A
A) Manual Expression:
Manual expression is an excellent way to show a new mother that she does have milk or colostrum. By gently massaging and expressing the breast, the mother can see or feel the small amount of colostrum being released. This helps reassure her that milk production has begun, even if it’s not abundant right away. Colostrum is often produced in small amounts during the first few days postpartum, and learning how to express it can provide immediate visual confirmation that milk is available for the baby.
B) Massaging breast to bring milk to the nipple:
While massaging the breast can help facilitate the milk ejection reflex (let-down), it doesn’t necessarily show the mother that she has milk. The milk flow may not be immediately visible without manual expression. The process of massaging can help increase milk flow over time but is not the most effective way to demonstrate the presence of colostrum in the immediate postpartum period.
C) Using a nipple shield:
A nipple shield can sometimes be used to help babies latch more effectively if there are latch issues, but it won’t directly show the mother that she has milk or colostrum. In fact, frequent use of a nipple shield without proper latching technique can interfere with establishing breastfeeding. It’s more important to help the mother with proper latching and positioning, along with demonstrating manual expression.
D) Keeping infant skin to skin:
Skin-to-skin contact is incredibly beneficial for bonding and promoting breastfeeding, as it stimulates the release of oxytocin and encourages the baby to latch. However, it does not directly show the mother that she has milk or colostrum. While it can help initiate milk production, manual expression provides a more direct and immediate way to demonstrate that milk is available.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","C"]
Explanation
A) Apply ice to the perineal area for the first 12-24 hours:
Applying ice to the perineal area in the first 12-24 hours after delivery is a common intervention for promoting comfort, especially for lacerations or episiotomies. The cold helps to reduce swelling and inflammation, and it numbs the area, providing pain relief. Ice also helps to constrict blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the affected area, which can prevent excessive bleeding and promote healing.
B) Apply warm packs to the perineal area for the first 24-48 hours:
Warm packs are generally not used in the first 24-48 hours after delivery for a laceration. Heat can increase blood flow, which is not ideal immediately after birth when the risk of swelling and bleeding is higher. Typically, warm packs are more beneficial after the first 48 hours to improve circulation and promote healing. Therefore, this is not the best intervention in the immediate postpartum period for a labial laceration.
C) Encourage sitz baths at least twice a day:
Sitz baths are highly effective for postpartum comfort, particularly for perineal trauma such as lacerations or episiotomies. A sitz bath helps to cleanse the area and promote relaxation, reducing discomfort. It also enhances circulation to the perineum, which can speed up healing. Encouraging sitz baths at least twice a day is a helpful intervention for postpartum care and is appropriate for a labial first-degree laceration.
D) Use a topical antiseptic cream or spray on the perineal area:
While topical antiseptics may help reduce infection risk, they are generally not necessary for most first-degree lacerations, especially if they are uncomplicated. In fact, overuse of antiseptics or antibiotic creams can irritate the sensitive tissue in the perineal area and delay healing. The focus should be on keeping the area clean and dry, using gentle care. Therefore, this intervention is not typically recommended for a labial laceration.
E) Obtain an order for an indwelling urinary catheter:
An indwelling urinary catheter is usually only needed in specific cases, such as when a woman is unable to void postpartum due to perineal trauma, epidural anesthesia, or bladder retention. In the case of a labial first-degree laceration, there is no indication for an indwelling catheter unless the woman is unable to void on her own. The best approach is to encourage frequent voiding and assist with comfortable positioning.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Developing Prolactin Receptor Sites:
The first 1-5 days postpartum are critical for breastfeeding success because this period is when the prolactin receptor sites in the mother's breast tissue are being established. Prolactin is the hormone responsible for milk production, and the more prolactin receptor sites developed, the more efficiently the body can respond to the baby’s sucking and produce milk. This is the foundation for a successful breastfeeding relationship, as proper stimulation in these early days encourages the long-term supply of milk.
B) Decreasing Oxytocin:
Oxytocin is the hormone responsible for milk ejection (let-down) and is crucial for breastfeeding. In the early postpartum period, oxytocin levels are actually high and remain important for milk release, not decreasing. A decrease in oxytocin would impair milk ejection, which could affect breastfeeding success.
C) Decreasing Estrogen:
Estrogen levels drop significantly after delivery, which is part of the process that allows milk production to take precedence over pregnancy-related hormones. However, the drop in estrogen is more of a secondary event in breastfeeding success compared to the development of prolactin receptor sites. Estrogen primarily impacts lactation later, such as with the onset of menstruation.
D) Increasing Estrogen:
Estrogen levels rise during pregnancy, but they begin to decrease rapidly after birth. Higher levels of estrogen inhibit lactation during pregnancy, which is why the postpartum drop in estrogen is important for milk production to commence. However, an increase in estrogen would actually hinder the initiation of lactation and is not a factor in the success of breastfeeding in the early postpartum period.
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