A nurse is caring for a client who is 4 days postpartum following a. cesarean birth.

Exhibits

For each potential assessment finding, click to specify if the assessment finding is consistent with mastitis or endometritis.

Each finding may support this more than 1 disease process.

Choice A rationale:

Crackles in the lungs are a common manifestation of heart failure. Heart failure can cause fluid accumulation in the lungs, leading to crackles upon auscultation. This finding is due to pulmonary congestion and is indicative of heart failure exacerbation.

Choice B rationale:

Decreased thirst is not a typical manifestation of heart failure. In fact, patients with heart failure often experience increased thirst due to fluid shifts and increased blood volume, leading to increased urine output and dehydration.

Choice C rationale:

Poor skin turgor is not a specific manifestation of heart failure. Skin turgor is commonly assessed to determine hydration status, but it is not directly related to heart failure.

Choice D rationale:

Tachycardia (rapid heart rate) is a common manifestation of heart failure. The heart beats faster to compensate for its decreased pumping efficiency. Tachycardia helps maintain cardiac output, but it is not a primary cause of heart failure; instead, it is a physiological response to the condition.

Choice A rationale:

Give the client protamine if signs of magnesium sulfate toxicity occur. Protamine is not the antidote for magnesium sulfate toxicity. Calcium gluconate or calcium chloride is used to counteract the effects of magnesium sulfate toxicity by antagonizing the action of magnesium on the neuromuscular junction and the heart.

Choice B rationale:

Monitor the FHR via Doppler every 30 min. While fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring is important during magnesium sulfate infusion due to the risk of fetal distress, using Doppler every 30 minutes may not provide continuous and accurate monitoring. Continuous electronic fetal monitoring is the standard of care in this situation.

Choice C rationale:

Restrict the client's total fluid intake to 250 mL/hr. Magnesium sulfate is excreted by the kidneys, so maintaining adequate urine output is crucial to prevent magnesium toxicity. Restricting fluid intake to 250 mL/hr would likely reduce urine output, leading to an increased risk of magnesium sulfate accumulation in the body, which could be harmful.

Choice D rationale:

Measure the client's urine output every hour. Monitoring urine output is essential during magnesium sulfate infusion as it helps assess renal function and magnesium excretion. Adequate urine output (at least 30 mL/hr) is necessary to prevent magnesium toxicity. Therefore, measuring the client's urine output every hour is a critical nursing intervention to ensure the safety of the client.