What is the primary rationale for monitoring a new mother every 15 minutes for the first hour after delivery?

To check for postpartum hemorrhage

To determine if the mother's milk is coming in

To monitor the mother's blood pressure to note any elevations

To answer questions the new parents may have

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

To check for postpartum hemorrhage.

This is because postpartum hemorrhage is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication that can occur within 24 hours of birth or later. It is defined as a blood loss of more than 500 mL in a vaginal delivery or more than 1000 mL in a cesarean delivery. The most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage is uterine atony, which is the failure of the uterus to contract after delivery. Other causes include lacerations, retained placental fragments, coagulation disorders, and uterine rupture. Monitoring the vital signs, especially blood pressure, and pulse, can help detect signs of hypovolemia due to blood loss. Other signs include pale skin, cold and clammy extremities, delayed capillary refill, decreased urine output, and altered mental status.

Choice B is not correct because determining if the mother's milk is coming in is not the primary rationale for monitoring a new mother every 15 minutes for the first hour after delivery. Milk production usually begins around 48 to 72 hours after delivery and is influenced by hormonal changes, breastfeeding frequency, and maternal health. Although breastfeeding support is important for postpartum care, it is not a priority over checking for postpartum hemorrhage.

Choice C is not correct because monitoring the mother's blood pressure to note any elevations is not the primary rationale for monitoring a new mother every 15 minutes for the first hour after delivery. Elevated blood pressure can indicate gestational hypertension or preeclampsia, which are serious conditions that can affect postpartum women. However, these conditions are more likely to cause symptoms such as headache, blurred vision, epigastric pain, and proteinuria⁴.

Moreover, blood pressure may not be a sensitive indicator of blood loss and may remain normal until a significant amount of blood is lost¹.

Choice D is not correct because answering questions the new parents may have is not the primary rationale for monitoring a new mother every 15 minutes for the first hour after delivery. Although providing education and support to the new parents is an essential part of postpartum care, it is not a priority over checking for postpartum hemorrhage. The new parents may have questions about infant care, feeding, contraception, recovery, and other topics that can be addressed during the postpartum period.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Place the infant on the mother's abdomen after birth. This will help the infant maintain an adequate body temperature by providing skin-to-skin contact with the mother, which reduces heat loss and promotes bonding. Skin-to-skin contact also stimulates the baby's natural feeding cues and helps initiate breastfeeding.

Choice A is not correct because turning up the temperature in the birth room may not be enough to prevent heat loss from the infant, especially if they are wet or exposed to cold surfaces. It may also make the mother uncomfortable or dehydrated.

Choice B is not correct because bathing the infant immediately after birth may increase heat loss from evaporation and conduction. It may also interfere with the baby's natural protective coating (vernix) and microbiome. Bathing should be delayed until at least 24 hours after birth.

Choice D is not correct because wrapping the infant in a warm, dry blanket may not provide the same benefits as skin-to-skin contact with the mother. It may also prevent the baby from smelling and seeing the mother's breast, which are important cues for breastfeeding initiation.

A. Sucking B. Grasp C. Tonic neck D. Rooting

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Rooting. The rooting reflex is a primitive neonatal reflex that helps the baby find the breast or bottle to start feeding. When the corner of the baby's mouth is stroked or touched, the baby will turn his or her head and open his or her mouth to follow and root in the direction of the stroking. This reflex lasts about 4 months.

Choice A. Sucking is not the correct answer because it is a different reflex that starts when the roof of the baby's mouth is touched, and it does not help the baby find the breast or bottle.

Choice B. Grasp is not the correct answer because it is a reflex that causes the baby to close his or her fingers in a grasp when the palm of the hand is stroked, and it has nothing to do with breastfeeding.

Choice C. Tonic neck is not the correct answer because it is a reflex that causes the baby to assume a "fencing" position when the head is turned to one side, and it also has nothing to do with breastfeeding.

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What is the primary rationale for monitoring a new mother every 15 minutes for the first hour after delivery?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is teaching a prenatal class and illustrating some of the basic events that will happen right after the birth. The nurse should point out which action will best help the infant maintain an adequate body temperature.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A first-time mother reports that she is experiencing difficulty breastfeeding her newborn. The neonatal reflex that the nurse would teach the mother to elicit, in order to facilitate breastfeeding is:

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse is conducting a prenatal class explaining the various activities that will occur within the first few hours after birth. The nurse determines the session is successful when the couples correctly choose which reason for the use of an antibiotic ointment.

A nurse is caring for a newborn shortly after birth and places the newborn under a radiant warmer. Which of the following potential complications does this action help to prevent?

A nurse is teaching a new mother about signs of effective breastfeeding of her newborn. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing shaking chills during the immediate postpartum period. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

The nurse is caring for a new mother and newborn in a rooming-in unit and watches the mother put the infant in the bed, lying on her side, propped up with a pillow. The nurse should point out that this position can increase the risk of which situation?

To protect newborns from infection while in the nursery, the nurse plans to:

The nurse assesses a postpartum woman's perineum and notices that her lochial discharge is moderate in amount and red. The nurse would record this as what type of lochia?

The nurse is preparing the nursing care plan for a newborn who was born via cesarean delivery. Which diagnosis should the nurse prioritize?