A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a postpartum client about caring for her 5-day-old male newborn at home. Which of the following statements should the nurse make to the client?

Choice A rationale:

Swaddling the baby tightly with his legs extended before laying him down to sleep is not a recommended practice, as it can increase the risk of hip dysplasia. Instead, the baby should be placed on their back in a safe sleep environment.

Choice B rationale:

This statement is correct because monitoring the baby's urinary output is essential in ensuring adequate hydration and proper kidney function. Less than six wet diapers a day could be a sign of dehydration and should be promptly reported to the pediatrician.

Choice C rationale:

It is not necessary to retract the foreskin to clean the baby's penis during each bath. The foreskin should be left alone and not forcibly retracted until it naturally loosens, usually around the age of 3 to 5 years.

Choice D rationale:

Applying triple antibiotic ointment on the baby's umbilical cord is not recommended, as the standard practice is to keep the umbilical cord clean and dry. This helps it to fall off naturally within a week or two after birth, reducing the risk of infection.

The correct answer is choice B: Administer a bolus infusion of lactated Ringer’s.

Choice A rationale:

Positioning the client in a knee-chest position is not the standard intervention for maternal hypotension following epidural placement. This position is more commonly associated with cord prolapse or to relieve pressure on the vena cava.

Choice B rationale:

Administering a bolus infusion of lactated Ringer’s is the correct action. Hypotension during epidural analgesia is treated with additional intravenous boluses of crystalloid solution. This helps to increase the circulating blood volume and counteract the vasodilation caused by the epidural.

Choice C rationale:

Terbutaline is a medication used to relax the uterus and prevent premature labor, not for treating hypotension.

Choice D rationale:

Applying oxygen via a nonrebreather face mask at 2 L/min is not the primary treatment for maternal hypotension. Oxygen may be used as a supportive measure if there is evidence of fetal distress or maternal hypoxemia, but the first line of treatment for hypotension is fluid administration.