The nurse is reviewing care of an episiotomy repair in preparation for her patient's discharge home.

The nurse instructs the patient to call her physician if she notices:

Discomfort while sitting during the first three weeks postpartum.

Slight pain with urination and bowel movements during the first three weeks postpartum.

Slight pain with walking and climbing stairs during the first three weeks postpartum.

Fluid draining from the repair site during the first three weeks postpartum.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A rationale

Discomfort while sitting is a common and expected symptom after an episiotomy, as the perineum is a major pressure point. The area is inflamed and sensitive from the incision and stretching of birth, and it can take several weeks for the tissues to heal fully and for the pain to subside, so this would not typically be a cause for alarm unless it is severe and worsening.

Choice B rationale

Slight pain with urination and bowel movements is also normal in the initial postpartum weeks. The episiotomy site is close to the urethra and rectum, and the act of passing urine or stool can cause a temporary stinging sensation. This is due to inflammation of the nearby tissues and is not usually indicative of a complication that requires immediate medical attention.

Choice C rationale

Slight pain with walking and climbing stairs is a normal finding as it involves stretching and using the muscles of the pelvic floor and perineum. The body is in a state of healing and recovering from the physical trauma of childbirth, and these movements can cause mild discomfort. This is expected and not typically a sign of a complication requiring medical intervention.

Choice D rationale

Fluid draining from the repair site is a significant sign of a potential complication, such as infection or a hematoma. This drainage, especially if it is purulent, foul-smelling, or excessive, suggests that the wound is not healing properly. This warrants immediate medical evaluation to determine the cause and initiate appropriate treatment, such as antibiotics or drainage of the wound

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Topical anesthetic creams, such as lidocaine, are not. typically recommended for routine use to reduce swelling and discomfort in the. perineum immediately postpartum. They can provide temporary relief from pain but. do not address the underlying swelling and may not be necessary. Their use is. often reserved for severe pain or specific indications like sutured lacerations,. and they don't have a broad application for discomfort and swelling.

Choice B rationale

Doing nothing is not a recommended intervention for perineal. swelling and discomfort. Providing care and comfort measures is a fundamental. aspect of postpartum nursing. Without intervention, swelling can worsen,. increasing pain and potentially delaying healing. Simple and effective measures. exist to alleviate these symptoms, promoting the patient's well-being and recovery. after a vaginal delivery.

Choice C rationale

Ice packs are the most effective and universally recommended. intervention for reducing perineal swelling and discomfort in the immediate. postpartum period. The cold temperature causes vasoconstriction, which decreases. blood flow to the area, thereby minimizing edema and inflammation. It also. provides a numbing effect, which helps to alleviate pain. The packs should be. applied for 15-20 minutes at a time.

Choice D rationale

Warm packs are not recommended for use in the first 24 hours. postpartum. Heat promotes vasodilation, which would increase blood flow to the. perineum, exacerbating swelling and discomfort. While warm compresses or sitz. baths can be beneficial for healing and pain relief after the initial 24 hours. have passed, their application in the immediate postpartum period is. contraindicated for the purpose of reducing edema.

A. Baby blues are often related to a phase of adjustment to new parenthood and can last several days to a couple of weeks. B. Baby blues is a term used to describe postpartum depression. C. Baby blues are often related to a phase of adjustment to new parenthood and can last several months. D. Baby blues should be treated with antidepressants.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Baby blues are a very common and normal emotional response in the postpartum period, affecting up to 80% of new mothers. They are characterized by transient mood swings, crying spells, anxiety, and irritability. This condition is related to hormonal shifts (progesterone, estrogen), sleep deprivation, and the psychological adjustment to the demands of new parenthood. Symptoms typically resolve on their own within two weeks.

Choice B rationale

This statement is incorrect. Baby blues are a distinct and less severe condition than postpartum depression (PPD). PPD is a more serious and prolonged mood disorder with symptoms that are more intense, debilitating, and persistent, lasting for more than two weeks and interfering with daily functioning. Baby blues do not meet the diagnostic criteria for clinical depression.

Choice C rationale

This statement is incorrect. Baby blues are by definition a short-lived condition, typically lasting a few days up to two weeks. If the symptoms of depression, sadness, or anxiety last for several months, it is no longer considered "baby blues" and should be evaluated as potential postpartum depression, which requires professional medical intervention and treatment.

Choice D rationale

This statement is incorrect. Baby blues are a temporary, self-limiting condition that does not require pharmacological treatment like antidepressants. The primary management involves emotional support, rest, self-care, and reassurance that the feelings are normal and will pass. Antidepressants are reserved for the more severe and persistent symptoms of postpartum depression. .

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

The nurse is reviewing care of an episiotomy repair in preparation for her patient's discharge home. The nurse instructs the patient to call her physician if she notices:

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

To reduce swelling and discomfort in the perineal area following a vaginal delivery, the nurse applies which of the following to the patient’s perineum in the first 24 hours postpartum?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Which of the following statements about "baby blues" does the nurse understand to be correct?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Which of the following postpartum patients would the nurse expect to resume her menses first?

The nurse is reviewing care of an episiotomy repair in preparation for her patient's discharge home. The nurse instructs the patient to call her physician if she notices:

When a woman is diagnosed with postpartum depression (PPD) with psychotic features, the greatest concern is that she may:

The nurse is reviewing discharge instructions with her patient who is two days post an uncomplicated spontaneous vaginal delivery. Her postpartum recovery has been without complication. The nurse explains that the patient will need to schedule her first postpartum follow-up visit with her OBGYN in:

The nurse is caring for a patient who is actively bleeding and who has already lost more than 500ml of blood following her spontaneous vaginal delivery. In caring for this patient, the nurse initiates maternal vital sign assessments at intervals of:

One of the first symptoms of puerperal infection to assess for in the postpartum woman is:

A new mother calls the nurse into the room to tell her she gets abdominal cramps every time the baby breastfeeds. Which of the following is the correct explanation for this?

Medications used to manage postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) include (Choose all that apply):

The nurse is reviewing care of an episiotomy repair in preparation for her patient's discharge home.

The nurse instructs the patient to call her physician if she notices: