Which of the following reflects the normal sequence of postpartum vaginal discharge?

Choice A rationale:

Placing the client on seizure precautions is not the appropriate action in this scenario. Shaking chills during the immediate postpartum period are not indicative of a seizure. Seizure precautions involve measures like protecting the client from injury during a seizure, such as moving them to a safe area and providing a padded bed or mattress. This is not relevant to the client's current situation of shaking chills.

Choice C rationale:

Covering the client with warm blankets may provide comfort and help raise body temperature if the client is experiencing chills due to being cold. However, it does not address the underlying cause of the shaking chills. The nurse should first assess the client's temperature to determine the cause of the chills before implementing interventions.

Choice D rationale:

Notifying the charge nurse is not the immediate action needed when a client is experiencing shaking chills. The primary responsibility of the nurse in this situation is to assess and identify the cause of the chills. Once the cause is determined, appropriate interventions can be initiated. It's essential to focus on the immediate assessment of the client's condition.

Answer and explanation

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a newly licensed nurse about the complications associated with maternal gestational diabetes. Which of the following complications should the nurse include? The correct answer is choice C: Newborn hypoglycemia.

Choice A rationale:

Small for gestational age (SGA) newborns are not typically associated with maternal gestational diabetes. Instead, maternal diabetes (both pre-gestational and gestational) is more commonly linked to larger-than-average babies, known as macrosomia or LGA (large for gestational age).

Choice B rationale:

Oligohydramnios is a condition characterized by a decreased volume of amniotic fluid, which can have various causes. While maternal diabetes can contribute to certain complications, it is not a direct cause of oligohydramnios.

Choice C rationale:

Newborn hypoglycemia is a significant complication associated with maternal gestational diabetes. When a pregnant woman has diabetes, her baby may experience high blood sugar levels in the womb, leading to increased insulin production. After birth, the baby's insulin production continues, causing a drop in blood sugar levels, which can result in hypoglycemia. Therefore, this is a complication that should be emphasized in teaching.

Choice D rationale:

Placenta previa is not directly related to maternal gestational diabetes. It is a condition in which the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix, leading to bleeding during pregnancy. It is a separate complication from gestational diabetes and should not be included in teaching about the complications of maternal diabetes.