A nurse is caring for an infant diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot. The infant has been feeding poorly and has difficulty gaining weight.

What actions should the nurse plan to take? (Select all that apply.)

Choice A rationale
The G in GTPAL stands for gravida, which is the number of times an individual has conceived, including any current pregnancy. In this case, G3 means the client has had three pregnancies, which includes two prior pregnancies and the current one.
Choice B rationale
The client’s record does not indicate that she is currently pregnant with twins, making this choice incorrect.
Choice C rationale
The A in GTPAL stands for the number of abortions, which refers to all times the individual has lost a pregnancy before 20 weeks. In this case, A1 means the client has had one abortion, indicating a risk for miscarriage.
Choice D rationale
The T in GTPAL stands for term births, which refers to the number of times an individual has carried a pregnancy to at least 37 weeks of gestation and delivered. In this case, T1 means the client has had one full-term birth.
Choice E rationale
The L in GTPAL stands for living children. In this case, L1 means the client has one living child.

Choice A rationale
Uterine atony refers to a soft and weak uterus after childbirth. It happens when your uterine muscles don’t contract enough to clamp the placental blood vessels shut after childbirth. This can lead to life-threatening blood loss after delivery. One of the causes of uterine atony is urinary retention. When the bladder is full, it can displace the uterus, preventing it from contracting properly. This can lead to uterine atony and postpartum hemorrhage. Therefore, urinary retention can cause uterine atony and lateral displacement of the fundus.
Choice B rationale
Poor involution of the uterus is a condition where the uterus does not return to its normal size after childbirth. While poor involution can lead to prolonged bleeding, it does not directly cause uterine atony. Uterine atony is specifically a lack of muscle contraction, while poor involution is a failure of the uterus to reduce in size.
Choice C rationale
While infection can lead to many complications during the postpartum period, it is not a direct cause of uterine atony. Infections can cause endometritis, which is inflammation of the uterine lining, but this does not prevent the uterus from contracting.
Choice D rationale
Hemorrhage, or heavy bleeding, is a result of uterine atony, not a cause. When the uterus does not contract properly after childbirth, it can lead to excessive bleeding, or hemorrhage.