A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days postpartum.
The client is a Gravida 4 Para 3 who had a forceps-assisted birth with epidural anesthesia at 40 weeks of gestation. She had a second degree mediolateral perineal laceration with repair, and the placenta was manually extracted.
The estimated blood loss was 600 mL. Complete the diagram by dragging from the choices below to specify what condition the client is experiencing, 2 actions the nurse should take to address that condition, and 2 parameters the nurse should monitor to assess the client’s progress.

Choice A rationale
Fetal hyperinsulinemia is a condition where the fetus produces an excess amount of insulin, and it is more commonly associated with macrosomia (large for gestational age) rather than being small for gestational age.
Choice B rationale

Preterm delivery can result in a baby being small for birth weight, but it does not cause a baby to be small for gestational age. Small for gestational age means the baby’s weight is less than the 10th percentile for their gestational age.
Choice C rationale
Perinatal asphyxia, a lack of oxygen before, during, or just after birth, does not cause a baby to be small for gestational age. It can cause other complications, such as organ damage.
Choice D rationale
Placental inefficiency, where the placenta does not work as well as it should, can cause a baby to be small for gestational age. This is because the baby may not receive enough oxygen and nutrients from the mother.

Choice A rationale: A headache that lasts for 2 days and is not relieved by Tylenol is a concerning symptom in a pregnant client. This could be a sign of preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, often the liver and kidneys. Preeclampsia usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women whose blood pressure had been normal. Left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious — even fatal — complications for both mother and baby. Severe headaches are a common symptom of preeclampsia and should be reported to the healthcare provider immediately.

Choice B rationale: Blurred vision and dizziness are also symptoms of preeclampsia. These symptoms occur as a result of changes in the blood vessels in the brain due to high blood pressure. The brain relies on a healthy blood supply to function properly, and any disruption to this can lead to symptoms such as blurred vision and dizziness. These symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider immediately as they may indicate a need for immediate treatment or monitoring.

Choice C rationale: While swelling of the feet is common in pregnancy due to fluid retention and increased blood flow, it is not typically a symptom that needs to be reported to the healthcare provider unless it is accompanied by other symptoms of preeclampsia or other complications. Swelling in the face and hands is more concerning than swelling in the feet.

Choice D rationale: 2+ pitting edema of the lower extremities is a sign of fluid overload in the body, which can be a symptom of preeclampsia. This should be reported to the healthcare provider as it may indicate a need for treatment or closer monitoring.

Choice E rationale: Deep tendon reflexes of 3+ and absent clonus are within normal limits for a pregnant client. Hyperreflexia (reflexes rated as 4+) and the presence of clonus could indicate neurological irritability associated with preeclampsia, but these findings are not present in this client.

Choice F rationale: Fetal heart tones of 150/min are within the normal range of 110-160 beats per minute. This is a reassuring sign and does not need to be reported to the healthcare provider.

Choice G rationale: A blood pressure of 180/99 mm Hg is significantly elevated and is a hallmark sign of preeclampsia. This should be reported to the healthcare provider immediately as it indicates severe preeclampsia, which requires immediate treatment to prevent complications such as eclampsia, placental abruption, and organ damage.