A nurse in an outpatient clinic is assessing a client who is pregnant for unsafe behaviors during pregnancy. Which of the following findings indicates a need for further evaluation?

Rationale:

A. Self-mutilation: This behavior is more commonly associated with borderline personality disorder. Individuals with borderline traits may engage in self-harm as a means of emotional regulation or response to abandonment fears, not typical in antisocial personality disorder.

B. Social isolation: Clients with antisocial personality disorder are often socially manipulative and may actively engage with others for personal gain. They are typically not socially withdrawn but can be superficially charming and exploitative.

C. Paranoid ideation: Paranoia is more closely linked with paranoid or schizotypal personality disorders. While someone with antisocial traits may be suspicious if it serves their manipulative purposes, persistent paranoid ideation is not a defining feature.

D. Lack of empathy: A hallmark feature of antisocial personality disorder is a disregard for others' feelings, rights, and safety. These clients often exhibit a lack of remorse and empathy, making them prone to violating social norms and laws without guilt.

Rationale for Correct Choices

• Intravenous antibiotics: The client presents with uterine tenderness, dark foul-smelling lochia, a mildly elevated temperature, and an elevated WBC count, all of which point to endometritis, a common postpartum infection. The first-line treatment for endometritis is broad-spectrum IV antibiotics to prevent complications like sepsis.
• Increase in daily fluid intake: Infection and fever can increase fluid loss through insensible means, and fluids support circulation, renal function, and antibiotic delivery. Encouraging increased fluid intake also helps address dehydration from fever and supports healing and lactation.

Rationale for Incorrect Choices

• Kleihauer-Betke test: This test detects fetal-to-maternal hemorrhage and is used in trauma or suspected placental abruption in Rh-negative mothers. There is no indication of bleeding or Rh incompatibility in this case, so it is not appropriate here.
• Tocolytic medication: Tocolytics are used to suppress uterine contractions in preterm labor. This client is postpartum and has no signs of preterm labor or uterine hyperstimulation, so this medication is not warranted.
• Intrauterine tamponade balloon: This device is used for severe postpartum hemorrhage due to uterine atony that doesn’t respond to medical treatment. The client has moderate lochia but no signs of active hemorrhage or hemodynamic instability, so it is not indicated.