A nurse is providing teaching at a community health fair about electrical fire prevention. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

Rationale for Correct Findings:

• Temperature 38.2° C (100.8° F): Fever in a postpartum client may indicate infection such as endometritis, mastitis, or wound infection. Early detection is essential to prevent progression to sepsis, especially after cesarean birth and prolonged rupture of membranes.

• Heart rate 104/min: Tachycardia in the postpartum period may reflect infection, pain, or hypovolemia. Coupled with fever and leukocytosis, it indicates systemic inflammatory response requiring urgent evaluation.

• Client reports feeling unwell: Subjective complaints of malaise can be an early indicator of infection or postpartum complications. When combined with objective findings like fever and elevated WBC, it requires prompt follow-up.

• WBC count 33,000/mm³: Significantly elevated leukocytes indicate a severe inflammatory or infectious process. Immediate assessment and intervention are necessary to prevent progression to sepsis.

• Uterus firm at 1 cm above the umbilicus and tender to palpation; fundus boggy but firmed with massage: A boggy fundus and uterine tenderness can indicate uterine atony or early postpartum infection. These findings, especially with elevated temperature and WBC, require urgent monitoring and intervention.

• Moderate amount of dark brown, foul-smelling lochia: Foul-smelling lochia is abnormal and may signal endometritis, particularly after cesarean delivery and prolonged rupture of membranes. This requires prompt evaluation and potential initiation of antibiotics.

Rationale for Incorrect Findings:

• Breasts firm, heavy, and warm with moderate nipple discomfort while breastfeeding: These are expected findings related to milk engorgement. They are typical postpartum changes and can be managed with frequent breastfeeding or expressing milk.

• Surgical incision well approximated with slight edema, no redness or drainage: Slight edema at the incision site is normal post-cesarean. Absence of redness, warmth, or drainage indicates no infection requiring urgent intervention.

• BP 108/70 mm Hg: Blood pressure is within the acceptable range for a postpartum client and does not indicate immediate concern.

• Respiratory rate 18/min: This is within normal limits for an adult and does not require urgent intervention.

• SaO2 97% on room air: Oxygen saturation is within normal range and indicates adequate oxygenation, not requiring immediate follow-up.

• Hemoglobin 11.1 g/dL: This value is within normal postpartum limits, indicating no acute anemia or need for immediate intervention.

Rationale:
A. "Purchasing more expensive items will improve quality health outcomes.": Higher cost does not necessarily correlate with better outcomes. Cost-effectiveness focuses on achieving optimal results while minimizing unnecessary expenses, not simply purchasing pricier items.

B. "Preventing readmissions will decrease overutilization of services.": Reducing hospital readmissions prevents unnecessary use of healthcare resources, lowers costs, and improves patient outcomes. Effective discharge planning, patient education, and follow-up care are strategies that support cost-effective care.

C. "Planning a 10-year budget will ensure cost-effective care.": Long-term budgeting aids financial planning but does not directly guarantee cost-effective care. Cost-effectiveness is achieved by evaluating interventions, resource utilization, and outcomes continuously.

D. "Hiring travel nurses is an effective method of cost containment.": Travel nurses typically have higher hourly rates than permanent staff, which can increase costs. While they provide staffing flexibility, this strategy is not considered cost-effective for routine staffing needs.