A nurse is assessing a client who has antisocial personality disorder. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?

Rationale for Correct Answers:

1. Condition: Mastitis
Mastitis is an infection of the breast tissue that commonly affects breastfeeding women. It often occurs when bacteria (usually Staphylococcus aureus) enter through a cracked or damaged nipple, allowing pathogens to travel into the milk ducts. Symptoms can start with nipple pain and breast tenderness, progressing to flu-like symptoms, localized redness, and fever if untreated.

2. Evidence: Cracked nipple
The client's report of nipple discomfort throughout feeding and visible crack noted on the left nipple are red flags for potential bacterial entry, placing her at high risk for mastitis. Cracked nipples are common in breastfeeding, especially when there is poor latch or prolonged feeding.

Rationale for Incorrect Options:

Endometritis: This is an infection of the uterine lining. However, this client is 2 weeks postpartum, denies abdominal pain, and has normal lochial progression (whitish-yellow discharge = lochia alba). Her uterus is no longer palpable, indicating appropriate involution. No signs of fever, foul-smelling discharge, or uterine tenderness are noted.

Perineal hematoma: This would present with significant perineal pain, swelling, and possibly bluish discoloration. This client reports only mild perineal discomfort (2/10), likely related to normal healing from her episiotomy.

Group B streptococcus: The client tested negative for Group B Streptococcus. Moreover, GBS is not directly related to cracked nipples or mastitis.

Large for gestational age newborn: While the newborn was indeed LGA, this mainly increases the risk for perineal trauma or shoulder dystocia, not directly mastitis.

Rationale:

A. Instruct the parent to give 5 mcg of vitamin D daily: While vitamin D supplementation is recommended for breastfed infants, this advice does not address the inappropriate introduction of cow’s milk, which can cause complications such as intestinal bleeding and iron deficiency in infants under 12 months.

B. Instruct the parent to give the infant water every 3 hr between feedings: Offering water to infants under 6 months is discouraged, as it can displace essential nutrients from breast milk or formula and increase the risk of water intoxication due to immature kidneys.

C. Advise the parent to avoid giving cow's milk to the infant prior to 1 year of age: Cow's milk is not suitable for infants under 12 months because it lacks adequate iron and nutrients, and its high protein content can irritate the immature kidneys and intestinal lining.

D. Recommend the parent mix the milk with rice cereal for feedings: Mixing cow’s milk with cereal does not resolve its nutritional inadequacy or potential risks. Introducing solids and allergenic foods should follow developmental readiness and established pediatric guidelines.