A nurse is planning to teach a group of newly licensed nurses about hypermagnesemia. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse include in the teaching?

A. Weight gain 2.3 kg (5 lb): Mild weight gain can occur with oral contraceptive use and is generally not dangerous. This finding does not require immediate reporting.

B. Frequent nausea: Nausea is a common side effect, especially during the first few months of therapy. While bothersome, it is usually not an urgent concern unless severe or persistent.

C. Breast tenderness: Breast tenderness is a common, mild side effect of oral contraceptives and does not typically indicate a serious problem requiring immediate intervention.

D. Persistent headache: A new, persistent, or severe headache can indicate vascular complications, such as hypertension or increased risk of thromboembolism, which are serious adverse effects of oral contraceptives. This finding requires immediate reporting.

Rationale:

A. Inform the client she will need to formula feed her newborn until she has received antibiotics for 24 hr: Most antibiotics used to treat postpartum endometritis are safe for breastfeeding. Temporary formula feeding is not routinely required.

B. Request a prescription for terbutaline from the provider: Terbutaline is a tocolytic used to suppress preterm labor, which is not indicated postpartum. It does not treat infection or uterine complications.

C. Monitor the height and tone of the client's fundus: Assessing the uterus for firmness and position helps detect uterine atony or worsening infection. Changes in fundal height or tone can indicate retained products of conception or hemorrhage.

D. Instruct the client to wash her hands before and after changing her perineal pad: Hand hygiene reduces the risk of introducing or spreading bacteria to the uterus or perineal area, which is critical when postpartum infection is present.

E. Encourage the client to maintain a semi-Fowler's position to enhance uterine drainage: Semi-Fowler’s positioning promotes drainage of lochia, decreases uterine congestion, and supports recovery from endometritis by reducing bacterial proliferation in pooled fluid.

F. Obtain a culture specimen of the lochia from the client's perineal pad using a sterile swab: A culture helps identify the causative organism of endometritis, allowing the provider to tailor antibiotic therapy effectively.

G. Initiate contact precautions: Endometritis is not a highly transmissible condition; standard precautions, including hand hygiene, are sufficient unless another communicable infection is identified.