A nurse is caring for a client who weighs 75 kg. The client has a prescription from a dietitian to decrease calorie intake by 500 cal/day to produce weight loss of 1 lb per week. What is the expected goal weight for the client in pounds at the end of the 25 weeks? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

______ lbs

Rationale:

A. Inform the client she will need to formula feed her newborn until she has received antibiotics for 24 hr: Most antibiotics used to treat postpartum endometritis are safe for breastfeeding. Temporary formula feeding is not routinely required.

B. Request a prescription for terbutaline from the provider: Terbutaline is a tocolytic used to suppress preterm labor, which is not indicated postpartum. It does not treat infection or uterine complications.

C. Monitor the height and tone of the client's fundus: Assessing the uterus for firmness and position helps detect uterine atony or worsening infection. Changes in fundal height or tone can indicate retained products of conception or hemorrhage.

D. Instruct the client to wash her hands before and after changing her perineal pad: Hand hygiene reduces the risk of introducing or spreading bacteria to the uterus or perineal area, which is critical when postpartum infection is present.

E. Encourage the client to maintain a semi-Fowler's position to enhance uterine drainage: Semi-Fowler’s positioning promotes drainage of lochia, decreases uterine congestion, and supports recovery from endometritis by reducing bacterial proliferation in pooled fluid.

F. Obtain a culture specimen of the lochia from the client's perineal pad using a sterile swab: A culture helps identify the causative organism of endometritis, allowing the provider to tailor antibiotic therapy effectively.

G. Initiate contact precautions: Endometritis is not a highly transmissible condition; standard precautions, including hand hygiene, are sufficient unless another communicable infection is identified.

Rationale:

A. The client brushes her teeth twice daily: Brushing teeth at least twice a day is recommended to reduce plaque buildup, prevent tooth decay, and maintain oral health. This practice is consistent with standard personal hygiene guidelines.

B. The client wipes back to front when toileting: Wiping from back to front increases the risk of transferring bacteria from the anal area to the urethra, which can lead to urinary tract infections. The correct method is front to back.

C. The client washes her perineum first when bathing: The perineal area should be washed last to avoid transferring bacteria from this region to other parts of the body, especially the face. Washing it first increases the risk of cross-contamination.

D. The client takes a hot bubble bath every day: Daily hot bubble baths can dry out the skin and disrupt normal skin flora, potentially leading to irritation or infection. Mild, less frequent bathing with warm (not hot) water is healthier for skin integrity.