A nurse in the delivery room is planning to promote maternal-infant bonding for a client who just delivered. What is the priority action by the nurse?

Choice A rationale
While an area of warmth can be a symptom of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), it is not the most specific or indicative symptom. DVT is a condition in which blood clots form in veins located deep inside the body, usually in the thigh or lower legs. The most common symptoms include swelling of the foot, ankle, or leg, usually on one side, cramping of the affected leg, severe leg pain, and skin on the affected area that is warmer than the skin on surrounding areas.
However, these symptoms can also be associated with other conditions, making them less specific for DVT.
Choice B rationale
Nausea is not typically a symptom of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The most common symptoms of DVT include swelling of the foot, ankle, or leg, usually on one side, cramping of the affected leg, severe leg pain, and skin on the affected area that is warmer than the skin on surrounding areas.
Choice C rationale
A cool-to-touch extremity is not typically a symptom of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In fact, the skin over the affected area is often warmer than the skin on surrounding areas. Therefore, a cool-to-touch extremity would not typically be expected in a client with suspected DVT.
Choice D rationale
Calf tenderness when massaged is a common clinical finding in clients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT)2. DVT often causes pain and swelling in the affected leg, and this pain can be particularly noticeable or worsen when the calf is massaged or the client is standing or walking. Therefore, calf tenderness when massaged would be a clinical finding that a nurse should anticipate in a client being admitted with a suspected DVT.

Choice A rationale
While it’s important to assess the level of parental anxiety related to the diagnosis, it’s not the immediate priority. The child’s physical health needs to be stabilized first.
Choice B rationale
This is the correct answer. Auscultating the rate and characteristics of the child’s heart sounds is the immediate priority. Acute rheumatic fever can lead to serious cardiac complications, so it’s crucial to monitor the child’s heart function closely.
Choice C rationale
While assessing the severity of joint pain is important in managing the child’s comfort, it’s not the immediate priority. The child’s heart function needs to be assessed first.
Choice D rationale
While assessing the client’s erythematous rash is part of the overall assessment of a child with acute rheumatic fever, it’s not the immediate priority. The child’s heart function needs to be assessed first.