A nurse is planning care for a client who is 1 hour postpartum and has peripartum cardiomyopathy.

Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

Consuming foods served at cool temperatures can help alleviate nausea and vomiting during early pregnancy. Cold foods often have less aroma compared to hot foods, which can make them more tolerable for someone experiencing nausea.
Choice B rationale
Brushing teeth after each meal is a good oral hygiene practice, but it does not directly help with managing nausea and vomiting during early pregnancy.
Choice C rationale
Eating three large meals per day is not recommended for managing nausea and vomiting during early pregnancy. Instead, eating small, frequent meals throughout the day can help keep the stomach from becoming empty, which can exacerbate nausea.
Choice D rationale
Drinking plenty of water when feeling nauseated can help prevent dehydration, which can occur as a result of vomiting. However, it may not directly alleviate the feeling of nausea.

Choice A rationale
Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment is administered to newborns to prevent neonatal conjunctivitis, also known as ophthalmia neonatorum, specifically for Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection prevention. If the guardian refuses the administration of erythromycin, the healthcare provider should respect the guardian’s decision and document the refusal. It’s important to note that the refusal should be informed, meaning the guardian should understand the potential risks associated with not administering the medication.
Choice B rationale
Informing the guardian that the medication can be given after discharge may not be the best course of action. The purpose of the ointment is to prevent infection immediately after birth when the risk is highest. Delaying the administration could potentially increase the risk of the newborn developing an infection.
Choice C rationale
Reporting the guardian’s refusal of the medication to social services is not the first step unless there are other concerns about the safety or well-being of the child. The healthcare provider should respect the guardian’s autonomy and their right to make informed decisions about the newborn’s care.
Choice D rationale
Notifying the facility’s ethics committee about the guardian’s medication refusal is not typically necessary unless the refusal puts the newborn at significant risk and other attempts to resolve the situation have failed. In this case, the refusal of erythromycin ophthalmic ointment, while not ideal, is not likely to warrant an ethics consultation.