A 25-year-old gravida 2, para 2-0-0-2 gave birth 4 hours ago to a 9-lb, 7-ounce boy after augmentation of labor with Pitocin.
She puts on her call light and asks for her nurse right away, stating, “I’m bleeding a lot.” The most likely cause of afterbirth hemorrhage in this woman is:
Retained placental fragments.
Unrepaired vaginal lacerations.
Uterine atony
Puerperal infection
The Correct Answer is C
Uterine atony.
This is when the uterus does not contract enough to stop the bleeding from the placental site after delivery. It is the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage, accounting for up to 80% of cases. Uterine atony can be caused by factors such as prolonged or augmented labor, large baby, multiple pregnancies, infection, or retained placenta.
The woman in question has some risk factors for uterine atony, such as a large baby and augmentation of labor with Pitocin.
The other choices are wrong because:
A . Retained placental fragments: This is when parts of the placenta remain attached to the uterine wall and prevent it from contracting properly. It is the second most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage.
However, there is no indication in the question that the woman had any difficulty with the delivery of the placenta or that it was incomplete
B. Unrepaired vaginal lacerations: This is when there are tears or cuts in the vagina or cervix that cause bleeding. It is a less common cause of postpartum hemorrhage.
However, there is no indication in the question that the woman had any trauma during delivery or that she was examined for lacerations
D. Puerperal infection: This is when there is an infection in the uterus or other parts of the reproductive tract after delivery.
It can cause fever, pain, and bleeding. It is a rare cause of postpartum hemorrhage.
However, there is no indication in the question that the woman had any signs or symptoms of infection, such as fever, chills, or foul-smelling discharge.
Normal ranges for blood loss after delivery are less than 500 mL for vaginal birth and less than 1000 mL for C-section.
Any amount above these thresholds can be considered postpartum hemorrhage and requires prompt evaluation and treatment.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Digoxin is a medication that helps improve the pumping function of the heart and reduces fluid retention in the lungs and other tissues. It is commonly used to treat congestive heart failure in infants.
Choice A is wrong because weighing the infant every day on the same scale at the same time is a way to monitor fluid balance, not an intervention to treat excess fluid volume.
Choice B is wrong because notifying the physician when weight gain exceeds more than 20 g/day is also a monitoring measure, not an intervention. Moreover, weight gain may not accurately reflect fluid volume status in some patients with heart failure due to poor nutrition and decreased appetite.
Choice C is wrong because putting the infant in a car seat to minimize movement may worsen the respiratory distress and increase the workload of the heart. The infant should be positioned in a semi-Fowler’s or Fowler’s position to facilitate breathing and reduce venous return.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Visible peristalsis and weight loss. These are symptoms of pyloric stenosis, which is a thickening or narrowing of the pylorus, a muscle in the stomach that blocks food from entering the small intestine. Babies with pyloric stenosis often have forceful vomiting, which may cause dehydration.
Choice A is wrong because abdominal rigidity and pain on palpation are not typical signs of pyloric stenosis.
They may indicate other conditions such as appendicitis or bowel obstruction.
Choice B is wrong because a rounded abdomen and hypoactive bowel sounds are also not specific for pyloric stenosis.
They may be seen in other causes of vomiting or abdominal distension.
Choice D is wrong because distention of the lower abdomen and constipation are not related to pyloric stenosis.
They may be due to other problems such as Hirschsprung’s disease or intestinal atresia. Normal ranges for weight gain in infants depend on their age, sex, and feeding method. Generally, infants should gain about 25 to 35 grams per day in the first 3 months of life.
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