A nurse is caring for a client who had a vaginal delivery 4 hr ago and reports perineal pain of 6 on a scale of 0 to 10. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

(A) Increased fundal height:
Hyperemesis gravidarum, severe nausea, and vomiting during pregnancy, typically does not cause an increased fundal height. Fundal height may be normal or even decreased due to dehydration and weight loss.

(B) Poor skin turgor:
Poor skin turgor is a common finding in clients with hyperemesis gravidarum due to dehydration. Excessive vomiting leads to fluid loss and dehydration, resulting in poor skin elasticity and turgor.

(C) Decreased pulse rate:
Hyperemesis gravidarum usually results in dehydration and hypovolemia, which can lead to an increased heart rate rather than a decreased pulse rate. The body compensates for decreased fluid volume by increasing the heart rate to maintain adequate circulation.

(D) Proteinuria:
Proteinuria, the presence of abnormal amounts of protein in the urine, is not typically associated with hyperemesis gravidarum. Proteinuria can be a sign of kidney dysfunction or other medical conditions but is not directly related to severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

(A) Ask a parent to state the newborn's date of birth:
While asking a parent to state the newborn's date of birth may seem like a reasonable step, it relies on the parent's memory and verbal confirmation, which may not always be accurate. It's possible for a parent to forget or provide incorrect information, leading to potential identification errors.

(B) Check the newborn's footprint sheet with the medical record:
Footprint identification is a common practice in hospitals, but it may not always be feasible or practical during routine newborn transport to parents. Additionally, relying solely on footprints for identification may not be as reliable as comparing identification bands, as footprints can smudge or be difficult to match accurately.

(C) Request a parent to verify the newborn's name:
Asking a parent to verify the newborn's name relies on verbal confirmation, similar to option A. While it may provide some level of reassurance, it is not as reliable as comparing identification bands to confirm identity. Additionally, newborns may not yet have been formally named at the time of transport.

(D) Compare numbers on the newborn's band to the parent's band:
Comparing the identification numbers on the newborn's identification band with those on the parent's identification band is the most reliable method to confirm the newborn's identity. This process ensures that the newborn is matched with the correct parent(s) before handing over the infant. It helps prevent instances of newborn mix-up or abduction.