As part of the postpartum assessment, the nurse examines the breasts of a primiparous (first baby) breastfeeding woman who is 1 day postpartum. Which of the following findings should the nurse anticipate?

Soft, nontender, colostrum is present.

Swollen, warm, and tender upon palpation.

Leakage of milk at let-down. At let-down

A few blisters and bruise on each areola.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A) Soft, nontender, colostrum is present:
In the early postpartum period, specifically on day 1, the woman is still in the process of transitioning from producing colostrum (a thick, yellowish fluid rich in antibodies) to mature breast milk. The colostrum may be present, but the breasts are typically not soft and nontender. Instead, they are more likely to be swollen and tender as the milk production ramps up. Therefore, this is not the typical finding on day 1 postpartum.
B) Swollen, warm, and tender upon palpation:
This is the expected finding on day 1 postpartum, especially for a primiparous woman. After childbirth, the breasts begin the transition from producing colostrum to mature breast milk. The increased blood flow and milk production cause the breasts to become swollen, warm, and tender to the touch. This condition is often referred to as engorgement, which is common within the first few days after delivery, particularly in breastfeeding mothers. Engorgement usually peaks around day 3 but may begin to occur slightly earlier, as the body adjusts to milk production.

C) Leakage of milk at let-down:
This finding is more typical of a woman who is further along in the postpartum period, usually after her milk has transitioned from colostrum to mature milk. Milk let-down and the associated leakage typically occur later, often after a few days (around day 3 or later). On day 1, the milk supply is still establishing itself, and leakage is less common.

D) A few blisters and bruises on each areola:
Blisters and bruises on the areola could indicate improper latch or trauma from breastfeeding. This is not a typical or expected finding in a woman who is only 1 day postpartum. If this occurs, the nurse should assess the infant’s latch and the breastfeeding technique to prevent further complications. Such findings should be addressed promptly, but they are not considered normal on day 1.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A) Abdominal with synchronous chest movements:
Newborns primarily exhibit abdominal breathing, meaning that the diaphragm does most of the work while the chest movements are less pronounced. This is normal for full-term neonates, and the chest and abdomen move in a synchronous manner as the baby breathes. This pattern is indicative of an immature respiratory system that is still developing, but it is completely normal in the early stages of life.

B) Chest breathing with nasal flaring:
While some chest movement is observed in newborns, the primary pattern of breathing is abdominal. Nasal flaring is generally an abnormal sign in newborns and may indicate respiratory distress, such as when there is an obstruction in the airway or a need for increased oxygen intake. It is not considered a normal, healthy breathing pattern in newborns.

C) Diaphragmatic with chest retraction:
Diaphragmatic breathing is normal, but chest retraction is not. Retractions occur when there is increased effort to breathe, and they typically indicate respiratory distress or obstruction. In a healthy, full-term newborn, retractions should not be present. This type of breathing would require further investigation to rule out conditions like respiratory distress syndrome or infection.

D) Deep with a regular rhythm:
Newborns may have irregular breathing patterns, including periods of apnea (a few seconds without breathing) and slight irregularity in rhythm, especially during sleep. Deep, regular breathing without any irregularities is not typical in a newborn, and any consistent deep breathing would require further observation to rule out any potential underlying issues.

A. Massage the fundus B. Take the patient's blood pressure C. Start an IV D. Have the patient empty her bladder

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A) Massage the fundus:
The first priority in this situation is to massage the fundus to help control potential postpartum hemorrhage caused by uterine atony. A boggy fundus (soft and not firm) suggests that the uterus is not contracting effectively, which can lead to excessive bleeding. Massaging the fundus stimulates uterine contractions, which can help reduce bleeding by compressing the blood vessels that were supplying the placenta. The nurse should begin with this intervention immediately to address the most likely cause of the bleeding.

B) Take the patient's blood pressure:
While vital signs such as blood pressure are important for assessing shock or ongoing hemorrhage, massaging the fundus takes priority in this scenario to directly address the cause of the bleeding. Taking the blood pressure is not the most immediate intervention for this specific situation because the primary issue here is uterine atony, not hemodynamic instability (although it will need to be assessed shortly thereafter).

C) Start an IV:
Starting an IV may be important if there is significant blood loss, but it is not the first priority in this scenario. The nurse should first focus on stabilizing the uterus by massaging the fundus. IV access will become more critical if the bleeding is not controlled after the fundus is massaged and other interventions are required.

D) Have the patient empty her bladder:
While a full bladder can sometimes displace the uterus and cause it to be less effective at contracting, this is a secondary concern. The first priority is to address the uterine atony by massaging the fundus. Once the fundus is firm and bleeding is under control, the nurse can then consider having the patient empty her bladder to ensure it isn't interfering with the uterus' ability to contract.

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As part of the postpartum assessment, the nurse examines the breasts of a primiparous (first baby) breastfeeding woman who is 1 day postpartum. Which of the following findings should the nurse anticipate?

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