A nurse on a postpartum unit is caring for a client.
Complete the following sentence by using the lists of options.
The client is most likely experiencing
The Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"B","dropdown-group-2":"A"}
Rationale for Correct Choices
- Endometritis: This uterine infection is common after cesarean delivery, especially with prolonged rupture of membranes. The client’s uterine tenderness, elevated fundus, boggy consistency, and foul-smelling lochia are hallmark signs of endometritis, making it the most likely diagnosis.
- Uterus and lochia: The presence of a tender uterus that is elevated above the umbilicus and only firms with massage, combined with dark, malodorous lochia, strongly suggests infection of the uterine lining. These findings point specifically to endometritis rather than general postpartum changes.
Rationale for Incorrect Choices
- Mastitis: Although the client reports heavy, warm breasts with nipple discomfort, there is no breast erythema, localized swelling, or high-grade fever typical of mastitis. These symptoms are likely due to engorgement related to lactation rather than infection.
- Pneumonia: The client’s respiratory assessment shows clear lungs with only slight basal changes common postoperatively. There are no signs of cough, sputum production, hypoxia, or respiratory distress, which makes pneumonia an unlikely cause of her symptoms.
- Fever: A temperature of 38.2°C is above normal, but mild postpartum fever can have various causes, including engorgement, dehydration, or early infection. Fever alone is not specific enough to confirm a diagnosis without targeted findings.
- WBC count: Although an elevated WBC of 33,000/mm³ raises concern, postpartum leukocytosis can be physiologic or related to many infections. It is not diagnostic of endometritis without more specific correlating signs like uterine tenderness and abnormal lochia.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D","F","G"]
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Provide a low-stimulation environment: The client has a severe headache, 3+ proteinuria, and elevated BP, indicating severe preeclampsia. A quiet, low-light environment reduces the risk of seizure by limiting neurologic stimulation.
B. Maintain bed rest: Bed rest in a side-lying position improves uteroplacental blood flow and helps lower blood pressure. It also decreases metabolic demand, which is critical in hypertensive pregnancies.
C. Give antihypertensive medication: The BP readings (162/112 and 166/110 mm Hg) require immediate antihypertensive therapy to prevent cerebral hemorrhage, eclampsia, or placental abruption.
D. Obtain a 24-hr urine specimen: A 24-hour urine collection for protein is the gold standard for quantifying proteinuria and confirming the diagnosis of preeclampsia. While a dipstick of 3+ is a strong indicator, the 24-hour collection provides a definitive measurement.
E. Perform a vaginal examination every 12 hr: There are no contractions or signs of labor, so regular vaginal exams are not indicated and increase the risk of infection in a preterm pregnancy.
F. Monitor intake and output hourly: Decreased renal perfusion is a complication of preeclampsia. Hourly monitoring detects oliguria early and helps assess for fluid overload or worsening renal function.
G. Administer betamethasone: At 31 weeks, betamethasone is indicated to enhance fetal lung maturity due to risk of preterm delivery from severe maternal complications.
Correct Answer is ["C","E","F","G"]
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Initiate contact precautions: Endometritis is not typically caused by a pathogen requiring contact precautions (like MRSA or C. difficile). Standard precautions are sufficient unless otherwise indicated.
B. Inform the client she will need to formula feed her newborn until she has received antibiotics for 24 hr: The prescribed antibiotics (e.g., clindamycin) are generally considered safe for breastfeeding, and lactation should be encouraged unless specifically contraindicated.
C. Monitor the height and tone of the client's fundus: Fundal tenderness, foul-smelling lochia, and fever are signs of endometritis. Ongoing fundal assessment is important to evaluate uterine involution and identify potential complications like subinvolution or abscess formation.
D. Request a prescription for terbutaline from the provider: Terbutaline is a tocolytic used to relax the uterus in cases of hyperstimulation during labor not for treating uterine infection or postpartum discomfort.
E. Obtain a culture specimen of the lochia from the client's perineal pad using a sterile swab: Culturing lochia helps identify the causative organism of the uterine infection and guide antibiotic therapy. This is a standard step in suspected endometritis cases.
F. Encourage the client to maintain a semi-Fowler's position to enhance uterine drainage: Positioning the client with the head elevated allows for better lochia drainage, preventing accumulation that could worsen infection or discomfort.
G. Instruct the client to wash her hands before and after changing her perineal pad: Good perineal hygiene helps prevent the spread of infection and supports recovery, especially in the context of suspected endometritis.
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