A nurse is caring for a female client, age 36, in the postpartum unit following a scheduled cesarean birth 12 hours ago.
Complete the following sentence by using the lists of options.
The client is at greatest risk for developing
The Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"A","dropdown-group-2":"C"}
The client is at greatest risk for developing Endometritis as evidenced by the client’s Lochia characteristics.
Rationale for correct answers:
Endometritis is a postpartum uterine infection commonly occurring after cesarean birth due to ascending bacterial contamination. The client’s foul-smelling lochia is a hallmark sign, indicating infection of the uterine lining. Normally, lochia is odorless and changes from red to serous and then to white over weeks postpartum. The elevated WBC count (18,000/mm³; normal 5,000–15,000/mm³) supports infection but is nonspecific. The firm uterine tone reduces likelihood of postpartum hemorrhage. Urinalysis positive for bacteria suggests UTI but does not explain uterine signs. Hence, lochia changes are the most direct indicator of endometritis.
Rationale for incorrect Response 1 answers:
Postpartum hemorrhage typically involves heavy bleeding, uterine atony, or a rapidly dropping hematocrit, none of which is reported here. Urinary tract infection is suggested by urinalysis but does not account for uterine tenderness or foul lochia. Deep vein thrombosis would present with limb swelling, pain, and possible fever but no uterine or lochia changes.
Rationale for incorrect Response 2 answers:
Urinalysis positive for bacteria points to UTI but not uterine infection. Elevated WBC count indicates infection or inflammation but lacks specificity for endometritis versus other infections. Uterine tone is firm here, making hemorrhage or uterine atony unlikely and less relevant to infection diagnosis.
Take home points:
- Endometritis often presents postpartum with foul-smelling lochia and elevated WBC.
- Foul-smelling lochia is a critical clinical sign distinguishing endometritis from other postpartum complications.
- Positive urinalysis suggests UTI, a separate postpartum infection that requires differentiation.
- Uterine tone helps rule out hemorrhage and guides diagnosis of infection versus atony.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Polyuria, an abnormally large production of urine, is not a typical adverse effect of epidural analgesia. Epidural analgesia, due to its influence on sympathetic nervous system blockade, can sometimes lead to urinary retention by inhibiting bladder detrusor muscle contraction and relaxing the urethral sphincter. Therefore, polyuria would be an unexpected finding.
Choice B rationale
A maternal temperature of 37.4° C (99.4° F) is within the normal physiological range for a laboring client. Slight elevations can occur due to the metabolic demands of labor or dehydration, but this temperature does not indicate an adverse effect directly attributable to epidural analgesia. Fever, defined as a temperature above 38° C (100.4° F), can be associated with epidural use due to thermoregulatory changes.
Choice C rationale
A fetal heart rate of 152/min is within the normal range for a term fetus, typically 110-160 beats per minute. This finding indicates a healthy fetal response and does not suggest an adverse effect of epidural analgesia. Epidural analgesia itself usually does not directly alter the fetal heart rate in a negative way if maternal hemodynamics remain stable.
Choice D rationale
Hypotension is a common adverse effect of epidural analgesia. It occurs due to sympathetic blockade, which causes vasodilation and peripheral pooling of blood, leading to decreased venous return to the heart and a subsequent drop in cardiac output and blood pressure. This reduction in blood pressure can compromise uteroplacental perfusion.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Bilirubin levels are typically monitored by a healthcare professional and not by parents at home every 6 hours. The frequency of bilirubin checks for a newborn receiving home phototherapy is usually determined by the healthcare provider based on the infant's bilirubin trajectory and clinical status, often daily or as prescribed.
Choice B rationale
Offering glucose water to newborns is not recommended. Glucose water does not provide adequate nutrition and can interfere with successful breastfeeding or formula feeding by reducing the infant's appetite for nutrient-rich milk. Adequate hydration and nutrition are crucial for bilirubin excretion in jaundiced infants.
Choice C rationale
For biliblanket phototherapy, eye coverings are generally not necessary. The biliblanket emits light from a fiber optic pad that is wrapped around the infant's body, and the light does not directly shine into the baby's eyes, unlike traditional overhead phototherapy lights that require eye protection.
Choice D rationale
Removing the baby from the biliblanket for feedings is appropriate and encouraged. Intermittent breaks for feeding and bonding are permissible as long as the total duration of phototherapy prescribed by the healthcare provider is met. Frequent feedings promote bilirubin excretion through stools.
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