A charge nurse in a newborn nursery is providing information to a group of nurses about risk factors for hypoglycemia. Which of the following risk factors should the charge nurse include? (Select all that apply.)

Rationale for Correct Choices

• Endometritis: This uterine infection is common after cesarean delivery, especially with prolonged rupture of membranes. The client’s uterine tenderness, elevated fundus, boggy consistency, and foul-smelling lochia are hallmark signs of endometritis, making it the most likely diagnosis.
• Uterus and lochia: The presence of a tender uterus that is elevated above the umbilicus and only firms with massage, combined with dark, malodorous lochia, strongly suggests infection of the uterine lining. These findings point specifically to endometritis rather than general postpartum changes.

Rationale for Incorrect Choices

• Mastitis: Although the client reports heavy, warm breasts with nipple discomfort, there is no breast erythema, localized swelling, or high-grade fever typical of mastitis. These symptoms are likely due to engorgement related to lactation rather than infection.
• Pneumonia: The client’s respiratory assessment shows clear lungs with only slight basal changes common postoperatively. There are no signs of cough, sputum production, hypoxia, or respiratory distress, which makes pneumonia an unlikely cause of her symptoms.
• Fever: A temperature of 38.2°C is above normal, but mild postpartum fever can have various causes, including engorgement, dehydration, or early infection. Fever alone is not specific enough to confirm a diagnosis without targeted findings.
• WBC count: Although an elevated WBC of 33,000/mm³ raises concern, postpartum leukocytosis can be physiologic or related to many infections. It is not diagnostic of endometritis without more specific correlating signs like uterine tenderness and abnormal lochia.

Rationale:

A. Consult the pharmacist about potential interactions between the client's regular medications and warfarin: Warfarin has numerous drug interactions that can increase bleeding risk or reduce effectiveness. Consulting the pharmacist ensures a thorough review of the client’s medication list for potential harmful interactions before discharge.

B. Tell the client they can continue to drink cranberry juice while taking warfarin: Cranberry juice can potentiate the effects of warfarin and increase bleeding risk by interfering with its metabolism. Clients should be advised to limit or avoid cranberry products.

C. Recommend the client take warfarin at the same time as other medications: Warfarin should be taken at the same time each day, but taking it with other medications may cause interactions. The timing should consider spacing it from medications that might interfere with absorption or potency.

D. Advise the client that over-the-counter medications remain safe to consume as needed: Many OTC medications, especially NSAIDs, can increase bleeding risk when combined with warfarin. Clients need to check with a healthcare provider before taking any new OTC drugs.