A patient had a vaginal birth 4 hours ago. Her hematocrit of 35% on admission for labor. Her current hematocrit is 25% which of the following statements by the nurse might best explain that
“Because you're not eating enough iron-rich foods like meat."
"Because you are hemoconcentrated the hematocrit dropped after delivery."
"Because your blood volume has doubled, your hematocrit is lower."
"This change in hematocrit indicates a postpartum hemorrhage."
The Correct Answer is C
A. A decrease in hematocrit after delivery is more likely due to physiological changes rather than dietary factors alone, though iron intake is important for overall recovery.
B. Hemoconcentration refers to an increase in hematocrit due to a decrease in plasma volume, but this is not the reason for a decreased hematocrit postpartum.
C. During pregnancy, blood volume increases to support both the mother and fetus. After delivery, plasma volume returns to pre-pregnancy levels, which can cause a relative decrease in hematocrit.
D. A significant drop in hematocrit could indicate postpartum hemorrhage, but a slight drop can be expected as part of normal post-delivery physiology.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Lethargy and poor muscle tone are common in infants of diabetic mothers due to the risk of hypoglycemia.
B. Early feeding is crucial to help regulate blood glucose levels and prevent hypoglycemia.
C. While newborns of diabetic mothers may be at risk for jaundice, assessing bilirubin levels at birth is not typically prioritized in the immediate care plan unless clinical signs of jaundice are present.
D. Fractures, especially clavicle fractures, are common in infants of large gestational age (LGA), so assessing for birth injuries is a priority.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. To identify abnormal fetal cells: This is typically the purpose of amniocentesis earlier in pregnancy to check for genetic disorders, not at 34 weeks.
B. To detect metabolic disorders: Metabolic disorders are usually identified through newborn screening after birth rather than through late pregnancy amniocentesis.
C. To determine fetal lung maturity: At 34 weeks gestation, determining fetal lung maturity is critical, especially in cases of preeclampsia, as early delivery might be necessary.
D. To identify the sex of the fetus: The sex of the fetus is usually determined earlier in pregnancy if necessary, not at 34 weeks, and it is not the primary purpose in this context.
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