A nurse is caring for a 28-year-old female client who is 2 days postpartum in the postpartum unit following a cesarean birth. For each finding below, click to specify if the finding is consistent with the disease process of lactational mastitis, postpartum endometritis, or postpartum hemorrhage. Each finding may support more than one disease process.

Exhibits

For each finding below, click to specify if the finding is consistent with the disease process of lactational mastitis, postpartum endometritis, or postpartum hemorrhage. Each finding may support more than one disease process.

Choice A rationale

Applying constant firm pressure to the penis for five minutes if bleeding occurs is an appropriate initial intervention for bleeding after a circumcision. However, it does not address the routine care needed after each diaper change to promote healing and prevent infection.

Choice B rationale

Cleansing the penis gently with water after each diaper change removes urine and stool, preventing irritation and potential infection. Applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly around the glans helps to keep the diaper from sticking to the healing circumcision site, reducing discomfort and promoting healing.

Choice C rationale

Prepackaged diaper wipes often contain fragrances and alcohol, which can irritate the sensitive skin of a newly circumcised penis and potentially delay healing or cause discomfort. Gentle cleansing with water is preferred.

Choice D rationale

The yellow exudate that forms on the glans after circumcision is a normal part of the healing process, known as granulation tissue. It should not be washed off, as this can disrupt healing and increase the risk of infection. It will typically disappear on its own over a few days.

Choice A rationale

Completely saturating a perineal pad within 15 minutes indicates excessive postpartum bleeding, which is most commonly caused by uterine atony (failure of the uterus to contract effectively after delivery). Massaging the fundus stimulates uterine muscles to contract, helping to compress blood vessels at the placental site and control bleeding. This is the priority intervention to prevent further blood loss and potential hemorrhage.

Choice B rationale

Assessing vital signs is important to evaluate the extent of blood loss and the woman's hemodynamic stability. However, the immediate priority is to address the cause of the excessive bleeding by promoting uterine contraction. Vital sign assessment should follow fundal massage.

Choice C rationale

Calling the primary health care provider is necessary to report the excessive bleeding and implement further management if fundal massage is not effective. However, the nurse's immediate action should be to address the likely cause of the bleeding through fundal massage.

Choice D rationale

Initiating an intravenous (IV) infusion of Ringer's lactate solution may be necessary to restore fluid volume if significant blood loss has occurred or continues. However, the immediate priority is to stop the bleeding by promoting uterine contraction through fundal massage. IV fluids are a subsequent intervention to support hemodynamic stability.