A nurse is reinforcing teaching about nutrition with a client who is pregnant and has hyperemesis gravidarum at home.
Which of the following statements indicates that the client understands the teaching?

Choice A rationale:

To prevent thrombophlebitis in a postpartum client following a cesarean birth, it is important to promote good circulation and prevent stasis of blood in the lower extremities. Placing pillows under the client's knees while she is resting in bed helps elevate the legs slightly and promotes better venous return, reducing the risk of thrombophlebitis. This position facilitates improved circulation and is a recommended practice.

Choice B rationale:

Applying hot moist soaks to the client's lower legs is not a recommended intervention to prevent thrombophlebitis. In fact, heat can increase inflammation and may worsen the condition. This option would not contribute to the client's plan of care for thrombophlebitis prevention.

Choice C rationale:

Assisting the client to ambulate in the hallway is a good practice to prevent thrombophlebitis, but it may not be suitable for a client who is only 1 day postpartum following a cesarean birth. Early ambulation is encouraged but should be done gradually and at the client's own pace to avoid undue stress on the incision site. Placing pillows under the knees while resting in bed is a more appropriate initial intervention.

Choice D rationale:

Keeping the client on bed rest is not the best option for preventing thrombophlebitis in a postpartum client. Immobility can increase the risk of stasis and clot formation. Promoting circulation, such as elevating the legs with pillows, is a more effective strategy to reduce the risk of thrombophlebitis.

Answer and explanation

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a newly licensed nurse about the complications associated with maternal gestational diabetes. Which of the following complications should the nurse include? The correct answer is choice C: Newborn hypoglycemia.

Choice A rationale:

Small for gestational age (SGA) newborns are not typically associated with maternal gestational diabetes. Instead, maternal diabetes (both pre-gestational and gestational) is more commonly linked to larger-than-average babies, known as macrosomia or LGA (large for gestational age).

Choice B rationale:

Oligohydramnios is a condition characterized by a decreased volume of amniotic fluid, which can have various causes. While maternal diabetes can contribute to certain complications, it is not a direct cause of oligohydramnios.

Choice C rationale:

Newborn hypoglycemia is a significant complication associated with maternal gestational diabetes. When a pregnant woman has diabetes, her baby may experience high blood sugar levels in the womb, leading to increased insulin production. After birth, the baby's insulin production continues, causing a drop in blood sugar levels, which can result in hypoglycemia. Therefore, this is a complication that should be emphasized in teaching.

Choice D rationale:

Placenta previa is not directly related to maternal gestational diabetes. It is a condition in which the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix, leading to bleeding during pregnancy. It is a separate complication from gestational diabetes and should not be included in teaching about the complications of maternal diabetes.