A nurse is assessing a client who is 6 hours postpartum and has endometritis. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Temperature 37.4°C (99.3°F)
Scant lochia
Uterine tenderness
WBC count 9,000/mm³
The Correct Answer is C
Endometritis is an infection of the endometrium, the lining of the uterus, typically occurring after childbirth. When assessing a client with endometritis, the nurse should expect to find uterine tenderness as a common clinical finding. This finding is consistent with endometritis, which is characterized by inflammation and infection of the endometrium. Additional signs and symptoms may include an elevated temperature, increased lochia, foul-smelling lochia, and an elevated WBC count. Prompt identification and treatment of endometritis are important to prevent further complications.
Option a) A temperature of 37.4°C (99.3°F) is within the normal range and does not necessarily indicate endometritis. However, an elevated temperature above 38°C (100.4°F) or a persistent fever may be indicative of an infection and should be further evaluated.
Option b) Scant lochia (minimal vaginal bleeding) is not a characteristic finding of endometritis. In endometritis, lochia is often increased in amount and may have an unpleasant odor.
Option d) A white blood cell (WBC) count of 9,000/mm³ is within the normal range. However, in cases of endometritis, there is usually an elevation in the WBC count as a response to the infection. An elevated or increasing WBC count may be observed.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Platelets 170,000/mm³ is a normal platelet count in pregnancy. The normal range for platelets in pregnancy is 150,000 to 450,000/mm³⁷⁸.
B. This HbA1c level indicates good control of blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months. For a pregnant woman with type 1 diabetes, a target HbA1c of less than 6-7% is often recommended to reduce the risk of complications.
C. This blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level is elevated. Normal BUN levels typically range from 7 to 20 mg/dL. Elevated BUN may indicate renal impairment, which can be a concern for a pregnant woman with type 1 diabetes, as it could suggest developing diabetic nephropathy or other kidney-related issues.
D. Hct 34% is a normal hematocrit level in pregnancy. The normal range for hematocrit in pregnancy is 30% to 36%.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Listeriosis is a foodborne illness that can be very dangerous during pregnancy. It is caused by eating foods contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, which can grow well at refrigerator temperatures. Listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm labor, and serious illness or death in newborns. Pregnant women are 10 times more likely than other people to get Listeria infection¹.
To prevent listeriosis, pregnant women should avoid certain types of food that are more likely to be contaminated with Listeria, such as:
- Hot dogs and deli meats, unless they are reheated until steaming hot
- Soft cheeses made from unpasteurized milk, such as feta, brie, camembert, blue-veined cheeses, and
queso fresco
- Refrigerated pâtés or meat spreads
- Refrigerated smoked seafood, such as salmon, trout, whitefish, cod, tuna, or mackerel
- Raw or undercooked meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs
- Unpasteurized milk or dairy products
- Unwashed fruits and vegetables
Grilled chicken on a bun is a safe choice for lunchtime because the chicken is cooked and the bun is not likely to be contaminated with Listeria. However, the other options are not safe for pregnant women because they may contain Listeria or other harmful bacteria. A hot dog at the ballpark may not be reheated enough to kill Listeria. A seafood salad from the grocery store may contain refrigerated smoked seafood or mayonnaise made from raw eggs. Soft cheese is often made from unpasteurized milk and can harbor Listeria.
The other options are incorrect because they may expose the client to Listeria or other harmful bacteria, as I explained in my previous response. Let me summarize the reasons for you:
b) "I can still have a hot dog at the ballpark. This is incorrect because hot dogs and deli meats may contain Listeria unless they are reheated until steaming hot. A hot dog at the ballpark may not be hot enough to kill the bacteria.
c) "I can purchase a seafood salad from the grocery store." This is incorrect because seafood salad may contain refrigerated smoked seafood or mayonnaise made from raw eggs. Refrigerated smoked seafood can harbor Listeria and raw eggs can contain Salmonella or other bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
d) "I can have a mid-day snack with soft cheese.” This is incorrect because soft cheese made from unpasteurized milk can be contaminated with Listeria. Examples of soft cheese are feta, brie, camembert, blue-veined cheeses, and queso fresco.
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