A nurse is reviewing signs of effective breastfeeding with a client who is 5 days postpartum.
Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A rationale: Blood pressure readings below 160/110 mm Hg overnight indicate some level of blood pressure control, which is a positive sign in hypertensive pregnancy conditions. The goal is to maintain pressures below this threshold to reduce risk of end-organ damage. Stable or lower pressures reduce cerebral and placental ischemia risk. Therefore, resting well with controlled BP suggests no immediate worsening, indicating progression is stable at this point.

Choice B rationale: A decrease in headache intensity temporarily is a favorable clinical sign. Headache in preeclampsia is caused by cerebral edema and vasospasm, so improvement indicates less neurological irritation or pressure. However, this is a transient improvement and must be interpreted cautiously, but the reduction alone does not indicate a worsening condition, so it is not a marker of poor progression.

Choice C rationale: An increased headache intensity rating to 7/10 signals significant neurological involvement and increased cerebral irritation, typical of worsening preeclampsia or impending eclampsia. Severe headaches in pregnancy with hypertension indicate cerebral vasospasm or edema, which may lead to seizures if untreated. This is a critical sign requiring urgent intervention to prevent maternal and fetal morbidity.

Choice D rationale: Persistent visual disturbances such as seeing spots or flashes are neurological symptoms indicating retinal or cerebral involvement due to vasospasm, ischemia, or edema. These symptoms are common in severe preeclampsia and herald worsening disease. Visual symptoms result from endothelial dysfunction affecting cerebral and retinal vessels, requiring immediate evaluation to prevent progression to eclampsia.

Choice E rationale: Epigastric discomfort reflects stretching or ischemia of the liver capsule from hepatic involvement in severe preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome. This pain typically presents as right upper quadrant or epigastric pain due to hepatocellular injury or microvascular thrombosis. It is a warning sign of multisystem involvement and potential progression to life-threatening complications such as hepatic rupture.

Choice F rationale: Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes (3+ to 4+) and positive clonus are clinical signs of central nervous system irritability caused by increased excitability of motor neurons. This occurs due to cerebral vasospasm and ischemia in severe preeclampsia and predicts risk for seizures (eclampsia). These neurological signs are crucial in assessing disease severity and necessitate urgent management.

Choice G rationale: Urine output between 25 and 55 mL/hr approaches the lower limit of normal (normal ≥30 mL/hr). Reduced urine output in preeclampsia indicates renal hypoperfusion or injury due to endothelial dysfunction and vasospasm, which can progress to acute kidney injury. Monitoring urine output is essential as oliguria signals worsening renal compromise, increasing maternal and fetal risk.

Choice A rationale

Assessing blood pressure twice daily is insufficient for a client with preeclampsia postpartum. Preeclampsia can worsen or manifest postpartum, necessitating more frequent monitoring, typically every 4 hours or more depending on the severity, to detect changes indicating progression or resolution of the condition and guide timely intervention.

Choice B rationale

Administering an IV bolus of lactated Ringer's could exacerbate fluid overload in a client with preeclampsia, as these clients often have compromised renal function and increased extracellular fluid. Fluid administration should be carefully managed to avoid pulmonary edema, and boluses are generally avoided unless hypovolemia is clearly indicated.

Choice C rationale

Assessing for edema is crucial postpartum for a client with preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is characterized by widespread endothelial dysfunction, leading to increased vascular permeability and fluid shifts into interstitial spaces. Monitoring edema, particularly in the face and extremities, helps evaluate fluid status and assess the resolution or persistence of the preeclamptic state.

Choice D rationale

Obtaining a prescription for misoprostol is not indicated for the management of preeclampsia without severe features postpartum. Misoprostol is a prostaglandin analog primarily used for cervical ripening, labor induction, or postpartum hemorrhage management due to its uterotonic properties, not for the direct management of hypertension or other preeclamptic symptoms.