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A nurse on a postpartum unit is caring for a client.

Exhibits

Complete the following sentence by using the lists of options.

The client is most likely experiencing

as evidenced by the client's .
Answer and Explanation

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 B

Explanation

Rationale:

A. The nurse positions a client who is postoperative in a semi-Fowler's position: Semi-Fowler's position is commonly used postoperatively to promote lung expansion, prevent aspiration, and support comfort. This is an appropriate nursing action that does not require correction.

B. The nurse performs auscultation of the lungs without lifting the gown: Lung auscultation should always be performed on bare skin to ensure accurate assessment of breath sounds. Clothing can muffle or distort the sounds, potentially leading to misinterpretation or missed abnormalities.

C. The nurse applies a cold compress to reduce localized swelling: Cold therapy is appropriate for managing inflammation, bruising, or swelling in many clinical settings. This demonstrates correct therapeutic intervention and does not indicate a need for further instruction.

D. The nurse uses clean gloves when administering an enema: Clean (non-sterile) gloves are appropriate for enema administration since it is a non-sterile procedure. This action follows standard precautions and is acceptable for routine nursing care.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Rationale:

A. A client who has decreased interleukin-6 levels: Interleukin-6 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that may be elevated in depression, but its decrease is not an indicator for antidepressant use. It’s not routinely used to determine the need for antidepressant therapy in clinical practice.

B. A client who has decreased urine cortisol levels: Depression is more commonly associated with increased cortisol levels due to stress responses. Low cortisol may be seen in conditions like Addison's disease but does not typically guide antidepressant use.

C. A client who has decreased C-reactive protein levels: CRP is a nonspecific inflammatory marker. While elevated CRP has been observed in some individuals with depression, a decreased CRP level would not indicate the need for antidepressant therapy.

D. A client who has decreased serotonin levels: Low serotonin levels are closely linked to depression pathophysiology. Many antidepressants, such as SSRIs, target serotonin levels to relieve depressive symptoms, making this the most relevant indicator for antidepressant therapy.

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