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?
a topical anesthetic cream.
nothing; it is best not to touch the area.
ice packs.
warm packs.
The Correct Answer is C
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While folic acid is crucial for red blood cell production, and. protein is essential for tissue repair, they are not the primary nutrients for. recovering from significant blood loss. The most urgent nutritional need after a. hemorrhage is for iron to replenish depleted hemoglobin stores and for protein to. rebuild lost plasma volume and support overall recovery. Folic acid is a. secondary component of red blood cell synthesis.
Choice B rationale
Omega-3 fatty acids and calcium are not the most critical. nutrients for a patient recovering from a postpartum hemorrhage. Omega-3s have. anti-inflammatory properties and are beneficial for general health, but they do not. directly address the issue of blood loss. Calcium is important for bone health and. muscle function but does not play a central role in replenishing blood volume.
Choice C rationale
Calcium and folic acid are important for overall health, but. they are not the primary nutrients for a patient recovering from a postpartum. hemorrhage. A patient needs to increase their iron intake to rebuild the red. blood cells and hemoglobin lost during the hemorrhage. While folic acid is a. co-factor in red blood cell synthesis, iron is the primary component.
Choice D rationale
Iron and protein are the most essential nutrients for. replenishing the body after a significant postpartum hemorrhage. Iron is a. critical component of hemoglobin, and its increased intake is necessary to. rebuild red blood cells and combat anemia. Protein is vital for synthesizing. new plasma proteins and for tissue repair, which are essential for a complete. recovery
Correct Answer is ["B","C"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Delayed cord clamping, or waiting for a period after birth. before clamping and cutting the umbilical cord, is not included in the active. management of the third stage of labor. Active management focuses on interventions. that expedite the delivery of the placenta and reduce postpartum blood loss. Delayed cord clamping is typically part of physiologic or expectant management. and can increase blood loss, which is why it is avoided in active management.
Choice B rationale
Controlled traction on the umbilical cord is a key component. of active management of the third stage of labor. After the placenta has. separated, gentle, downward traction is applied to the cord while simultaneously. applying fundal counter-pressure. This maneuver assists in the expulsion of the. placenta and helps to minimize the risk of uterine inversion. The procedure. should be done with caution and expertise.
Choice C rationale
Administration of oxytocin, typically within one minute. of the baby's birth, is a critical part of the active management of the third. stage of labor. This prophylactic administration of a uterotonic drug stimulates. uterine contractions, which hastens the separation and expulsion of the placenta. and significantly reduces the risk of postpartum hemorrhage. The usual dose is 10. units intramuscularly.
Choice D rationale
Fundal massage is part of postpartum care, but it is not. typically performed before placental delivery as part of active management. Massaging a flaccid or atonic uterus helps it to contract and reduce bleeding, but. this is done after the placenta has been expelled. Performing fundal massage. prior to this can interfere with the natural placental separation process. *.
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