A nurse is teaching about home safety with a client who is 2 days postpartum. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

Leukocytosis: Indication of Worsening Condition - Leukocytosis, an increase in white blood cell count, may indicate an exacerbation of the deep vein thrombosis or the development of an infection.

Redness in the extremity: Indication of Worsening Condition - Redness in the extremity suggests inflammation or worsening of the deep vein thrombosis.

Scant lochia rubra: Indication of Improving Condition - Scant lochia rubra indicates a decrease in postpartum bleeding, which is a positive sign.

Increased warmth in the extremity: Indication of Worsening Condition - Increased warmth in the extremity suggests increased inflammation and may indicate progression of the deep vein thrombosis.

Tachycardia: Indication of Worsening Condition - Tachycardia, an elevated heart rate, can be a sign of worsening condition, possibly due to complications such as pulmonary embolism.

Decreased extremity edema: Indication of Improving Condition - Decreased extremity edema suggests reduced swelling, which is a positive sign indicating improvement in circulation and reduction of fluid accumulation in the affected limb.

Rationale:

A. A WBC count of 11,000/mm3 is slightly elevated but may be within normal limits, as the normal range for WBC count can vary slightly depending on the laboratory. It is not typically concerning during pregnancy.

B. A hematocrit of 37% is within the normal range for pregnancy (37% to 47%) and does not require immediate reporting to the provider.

C. A fasting blood glucose level of 180 mg/dL is significantly elevated and indicates hyperglycemia, which may be indicative of gestational diabetes mellitus or pre-existing diabetes. This finding should be reported to the provider for further evaluation and management.

D. A creatinine level of 0.9 mg/dL is within the normal range (0.5 to 1 mg/dL) and does not require immediate reporting to the provider.