The nurse is assessing a first day postpartum client. Which finding is most indicative of a postpartum infection?

White Blood Cell (WBC. Reference Range: 5000-10,000/mm^3 (5-10 x 10^9/L)

Choice A: Observing insertion site is an essential assessment for a client who has a suprapubic catheter. The insertion site is located in the lower abdomen, where urine drains from an opening in the bladder through a catheter into a drainage bag. The nurse should inspect the site for signs of infection, inflammation, bleeding, or leakage. The nurse should also clean the site with soap and water and apply a sterile dressing as needed.

Choice B: Palpating flank area is not a relevant assessment for a client who has a suprapubic catheter. The flank area is located on the sides of the back, where the kidneys are located. Palpating the flank area can detect tenderness or pain that may indicate kidney infection or stones, but it does not provide information about the suprapubic catheter or its function.

Choice C: Measuring abdominal girth is not a relevant assessment for a client who has a suprapubic catheter. The abdominal girth is the circumference of the abdomen at the level of the umbilicus. Measuring abdominal girth can detect changes in fluid balance, ascites, or bowel obstruction, but it does not provide information about the suprapubic catheter or its function.

Choice D: Assessing perineal area is not a relevant assessment for a client who has a suprapubic catheter. The perineal area is located between the anus and the genitals. Assessing perineal area can detect signs of infection, irritation, or injury in the genital or anal regions, but it does not provide information about the suprapubic catheter or its function.

Choice A reason: This is a correct answer because determining if the mother has recently experienced a fall is important to rule out any head injury or concussion that could cause confusion. Parkinson's disease can increase the risk of falls due to impaired balance, coordination, and mobility.

Choice B reason: This is not a correct answer because reviewing the client's current food and medication allergies is not relevant to the mother's confusion. However, it may be important to review the client's current medications and dosages to check for any adverse effects or interactions that could affect cognition.

Choice C reason: This is not a correct answer because encouraging increased intake of high protein foods is not helpful for the mother's confusion. In fact, high protein foods may interfere with the absorption of levodopa, a medication used to treat Parkinson's disease symptoms. The nurse should advise the daughter to consult with a dietitian about the optimal timing and amount of protein intake for her mother.

Choice D reason: This is a correct answer because instructing the daughter to check her mother's temperature is important to detect any fever or infection that could cause confusion. Older adults are more susceptible to infections such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), pneumonia, or sepsis, whih can affect mental status.

Choice E reason: This is a correct answer because asking if the mother is experiencing any pain with urination is important to screen for any UTI that could cause confusion. UTIs are common in older adults due to reduced bladder function, incomplete emptying, and decreased immunity. UTIs can cause symptoms such as dysuria, frequency, urgency, hematuria, and delirium.