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
Chronic otitis media with effusion (OME) is a condition where fluid accumulates in the middle ear without signs of infection.
This can cause hearing loss, speech delay, and balance problems. The child may complain of a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear.
Choice A is wrong because a fever as high as 40° C (104° F) is a sign of acute otitis media, which is an infection of the middle ear with inflammation and pus formation.
Choice B is wrong because severe pain in the ear is also a sign of acute otitis media, not chronic otitis media with effusion.
Choice C is wrong because nausea and vomiting are not typical symptoms of chronic otitis media with effusion. They may be associated with other conditions such as gastroenteritis or vestibular disorders.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
This is because a patent ductus arteriosus is a congenital heart defect that involves a defect in which the fetal shunt between the aorta and the pulmonary artery fails to close. This causes a continuous machinery-like murmur that can be heard on auscultation.
Choice A is wrong because pulmonary stenosis is a narrowing of the pulmonary valve or artery that obstructs blood flow to the lungs. It causes a systolic ejection murmur that is best heard at the upper left sternal border.
Choice C is wrong because the ventricular septal defect is a hole in the wall between the ventricles that allows blood to flow from the left to the right side of the heart. It causes a loud, harsh holosystolic murmur that is best heard at the left lower sternal border.
Choice D is wrong because coarctation of the aorta is a narrowing of the aorta that reduces blood flow to the lower body. It causes a systolic murmur that radiates to the back and weak or absent femoral pulses.
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