A nurse is caring for a postpartum client following a vaginal birth of a newborn weighing 4252 g (9 lb 6 oz). The nurse should identify that this client is at risk for which of the following postpartum complications?
Uterine atony
Puerperal infection
Retained placental fragments
Thrombophlebitis.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason:
Uterine atony is the failure of the uterus to contract and retract after delivery, which can lead to excessive bleeding and hemorrhage. It is the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Risk factors for uterine atony include large or multiple babies, prolonged or rapid labor, overdistended uterus, use of oxytocin or magnesium sulfate during labor, and previous history of uterine atony.
Choice B reason:
Puerperal infection is an infection of the reproductive tract that occurs within six weeks after delivery. It can affect the uterus (endometritis), the bladder (cystitis), the kidneys (pyelonephritis), the breast (mastitis), or the wound (cesarean section or episiotomy).
Symptoms include fever, chills, malaise, foul-smelling lochia, pelvic pain, and wound redness or drainage. Risk factors for puerperal infection include cesarean delivery, prolonged rupture of membranes, prolonged labor, multiple vaginal examinations, retained placental fragments, and poor hygiene.
Choice C reason:
Retained placental fragments are pieces of the placenta that remain in the uterus after delivery. They can cause postpartum hemorrhage, infection, or delayed involution of the uterus. Symptoms include heavy or prolonged bleeding, fever, abdominal pain, and an enlarged uterus. Risk factors for retained placental fragments include placenta previa, placenta accrete, manual removal of the placenta, and incomplete examination of the placenta after delivery.
Choice D reason:
Thrombophlebitis is the inflammation and clotting of a vein, usually in the legs or pelvis. It can cause pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected area. It can also lead to pulmonary embolism if the clot breaks off and travels to the lungs. Risk factors for thrombophlebitis include pregnancy and the postpartum period, cesarean delivery, obesity, smoking, dehydration, immobility, varicose veins, and inherited or acquired clotting disorders.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Transferring the newborn to the NICU is not the best action to take next, because it does not address the immediate problem of low blood sugar. The newborn may need to be transferred to the NICU later, depending on the cause and severity of the hypoglycemia, but the first priority is to raise the blood glucose level.
Choice B reason:
Calling the lab for a STAT blood glucose level is not the best action to take next, because it will delay the treatment of hypoglycemia. The glucometer reading is a reliable indicator of low blood sugar, and waiting for a lab confirmation will waste valuable time. The nurse should act on the glucometer reading and initiate treatment as soon as possible.
Choice C reason:
Initiating breastfeeding is the best action to take next, because it will provide the newborn with a source of glucose that can raise the blood sugar level quickly. Breastfeeding also has other benefits for the newborn, such as promoting bonding, providing antibodies, and reducing the risk of infection. Breastfeeding should be initiated within the first hour of life for all newborns, unless contraindicated.
Choice D reason:
Recognizing this as a normal reading and documenting it is not the best action to take next, because it is not a normal reading for a 2 hour old newborn. The normal range of blood glucose for a newborn is 40 to 150 mg/dL. A reading of 32 mg/dL indicates hypoglycemia, which can have serious consequences for the newborn's brain development and function. Hypoglycemia should be treated promptly and documented accordingly.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A:
Two arteries and two veins. This is incorrect because the umbilical cord normally has only three blood vessels: one vein and two arteries. Having four blood vessels is a rare anomaly that can be associated with congenital defects. •
Choice B:
Two veins and one artery. This is incorrect because the umbilical cord normally has only one vein and two arteries. Having two veins and one artery is another rare anomaly that can also be associated with congenital defects. •
Choice C:
One artery and one vein. This is incorrect because the umbilical cord normally has two arteries and one vein. Having only one artery and one vein is a common anomaly that occurs in about 1% of singleton pregnancies and 5% of twin pregnancies. It can be associated with intrauterine growth restriction, congenital anomalies, and perinatal mortality. •
Choice D:
Two arteries and one vein. This is correct because the umbilical cord normally has two arteries and one vein. The vein carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus, while the arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the fetus to the placenta. The umbilical cord also contains Wharton's jelly, which is a gelatinous substance that protects the blood vessels from compression.
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