A nurse is using Nägele's Rule to calculate the expected delivery date of a client who reports that the first day of her last menstrual cycle was July 28th.
Which of the following dates should the nurse document as the client's expected delivery date?

Answer: D

Rationale:

(A) "Your partner will apply continuous, firm pressure between your thumb and index finger": This statement is not appropriate for describing counterpressure during labor. Counterpressure typically involves applying pressure to areas such as the lower back or sacrum, not between the thumb and index finger.

(B) "Your partner will apply pressure to the top of your uterus during contractions": This statement is not appropriate. Applying pressure to the top of the uterus during contractions could be harmful and is not recommended as a counterpressure technique during labor. Counterpressure is generally applied to the lower back or hips to alleviate pain.

(C) "Your partner will apply steady pressure with a tennis ball to your finger": This statement is not correct. Counterpressure during labor involves applying pressure to the lower back or hips, not to the fingers. A tennis ball may be used, but it is applied to the lower back or sacral area, not the fingers.

(D) "Your partner will apply upward pressure on you": This statement is appropriate. During labor, counterpressure is often applied by the partner to the lower back or hips, pressing upward or in a direction that helps alleviate the pain caused by contractions, particularly in cases of back labor. This technique can help relieve discomfort by counteracting the pressure from the baby's head against the mother's spine.

Rationales

A. Rust-stained urine.
Rust or brick-dust staining in the diaper is usually caused by urate crystals in the urine. This is a common and benign finding in newborns during the first days of life, particularly when fluid intake is still low. It does not require provider notification unless it persists beyond the first week or is accompanied by other abnormalities.

B. Subconjunctival hemorrhage.
A subconjunctival hemorrhage often results from pressure during delivery, especially in vaginal births. It appears as a bright red patch on the sclera but is harmless and resolves spontaneously within several weeks. It is considered a normal newborn finding and does not need to be reported.

C. Single palmar creases.
A single transverse palmar crease, also known as a simian crease, can be associated with chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome. While it may sometimes be an isolated normal variant, its presence warrants further evaluation. The nurse should report this finding to the provider for assessment and potential genetic follow-up.

D. Transient circumoral cyanosis.
Brief bluish discoloration around the lips in a newborn is typically due to vasomotor instability and is common when the infant is crying or cold. As long as the central mucous membranes remain pink and oxygenation is normal, this finding is not concerning and usually resolves without intervention.