A postpartum client who is formula-feeding her new baby inquires about when she should expect her menstruation to resume.
What should the nurse inform the client?

Choice A rationale

While a perineal hematoma can lead to increased WBC count, there is no indication of such a complication, making this assessment less immediate.

Choice B rationale

Assessing vital signs is an important part of routine postpartum care. Still, a white blood cell count of 15,000/mm is within a normal range for a woman within the first 24-48 hours after delivery and is not necessarily indicative of infection.

Choice C rationale

While an elevated WBC can indicate infection, a postpartum woman's white blood cell count can be normally elevated up to 20,000/mm due to the stress of labor and delivery. Checking a differential will provide a more accurate breakdown of different types of white blood cells for a more precise assessment.

Choice D rationale

A normal WBC in a postpartum client ranges from (12,000- 20, 000/mm. Checking the white blood cell differential helps determine the specific types of WBCs present and gives more information as to whether the elevation is the body's normal response to childbirth or a sign of infection.

Choice A rationale

While conducting a gestational age assessment is important, it is not the priority in this situation.

Choice B rationale

Weighing and measuring the newborn are routine procedures, but they are not the priority when the newborn is showing signs of distress.

Choice C rationale

Evaluating the neonatal reflexes’ reactivity is an important part of the newborn assessment, but it is not the priority in this situation.

Choice D rationale

Performing a drug screen for cocaine is the priority in this situation. The symptoms described - shakiness, a fast heart rate, and high blood pressure - can be signs of neonatal abstinence syndrome, which can occur if the mother used certain drugs, such as cocaine, during pregnancy.