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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 and
Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"C","dropdown-group-2":"A","dropdown-group-3":"C"}

  • Endometritis – This uterine infection is one of the most common postpartum complications, especially following cesarean delivery and prolonged rupture of membranes. It often presents with foul-smelling lochia, uterine tenderness, and systemic signs of infection like fever and leukocytosis. This client’s presentation, including foul-smelling lochia and a WBC of 33,000/mm³, strongly supports this diagnosis.
  • Mastitis – Typically associated with localized breast pain, redness, swelling, and systemic symptoms like fever. While the client has nipple discomfort and firm breasts, these are common postpartum findings during milk let-down and do not meet the criteria for mastitis, especially without signs of inflammation or localized breast infection.
  • Pulmonary embolism – A PE generally presents with sudden-onset chest pain, dyspnea, tachypnea, and hypoxia. This client’s oxygen saturation is normal, lung sounds are clear, and there is no respiratory distress, making PE unlikely.
  • Postpartum hemorrhage – Hemorrhage would present with excessive vaginal bleeding, hypotension, tachycardia, and possibly uterine atony. This client’s uterus is firm, lochia is moderate (not heavy), and vital signs are stable, so hemorrhage is not supported by the data.
  • Lochia assessment – Foul-smelling lochia is a classic indicator of uterine infection. It points to endometritis when found with other risk factors like cesarean birth, prolonged labor, and signs of systemic inflammation.
  • Elevated white blood cell count – A postpartum WBC count may be mildly elevated, but a level of 33,000/mm³ suggests infection. When combined with clinical symptoms like uterine tenderness and malodorous discharge, it supports a diagnosis of endometritis.
  • Firm uterus at 1 cm above umbilicus – This finding is expected on postpartum day 3 and indicates normal uterine involution. A firm uterus rules out uterine atony and is not specific to infection or hemorrhage.
  • Moderate nipple discomfort – Breast fullness and nipple tenderness are common in breastfeeding mothers, especially in the early postpartum period. This discomfort alone does not indicate mastitis or any systemic infection.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Arrange for an ethics committee meeting to address the family's concerns. An ethics committee can provide guidance in situations where there is conflict between advance directives and family wishes. This supports ethical decision-making while honoring the client’s autonomy and legal rights.
B. Complete an incident report. An incident report is used for errors or unusual events, not ethical dilemmas or conflicts over advance directives. It is not appropriate in this scenario.
C. Support the family's decision and initiate life-sustaining measures. The nurse is legally and ethically bound to follow the client’s advance directives, not the family’s wishes, especially when the client’s decisions are documented and clear.
D. Encourage the family to contact an attorney. While families have legal rights, referring them directly to an attorney does not address the immediate ethical issue or facilitate collaborative resolution in the care setting.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Allow the second nurse to enter the data while observing them. Even if observed, allowing another person to use a computer while logged in under someone else’s credentials violates HIPAA and security policies.
B. Log off the computer and let the second nurse log on and enter the data. This is the correct and secure action. Each nurse must use their own login to ensure accountability and protect patient confidentiality, as required by HIPAA and institutional policies.
C. Ask the second nurse for the data and enter it for them. This may lead to documentation errors or confusion about who provided care. Each nurse should document their own assessments and interventions.
D. Tell the second nurse to enter the data when they return from their break. While delaying documentation is sometimes necessary, timely documentation is important for safe patient care. The second nurse should have the opportunity to chart promptly, but under their own credentials.

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