A nursing student is helping the nursery nurses with morning vital signs. A baby born 10 hours ago via cesarean section is found to have moist lung sounds. What is the best interpretation of these data?

Choice A reason:

Occasional uterine cramping when the infant nurses is a normal phenomenon that occurs as the uterus contracts and returns to its pre-pregnancy size. This is not a sign of infection or complication and does not need to be reported.

Choice B reason:

Descent of the fundus one fingerbreadth each day is also a normal finding that indicates the uterus is involuting properly. The fundus is the top of the uterus that can be felt through the abdomen. It should be at the level of the umbilicus immediately after delivery and then descend about one fingerbreadth (or 1 cm) each day until it reaches the pelvic brim by 10 days postpartum.

Choice C reason:

Reappearance of red lochia after it changes to serous is an abnormal sign that may indicate uterine atony, subinvolution, or retained placental fragments. Lochia is the vaginal discharge that occurs after childbirth, consisting of blood, mucus, and tissue. It usually changes from red to pink to brown to yellow-white over a period of several weeks. If it becomes red again, it may mean that there is bleeding from the uterus or infection in the endometrium. This should be reported to a health care provider as soon as possible.

Choice D reason:

Oral temperature that is 37.2 C (99 F) in the morning is within the normal range and does not indicate fever or infection. A slight elevation in temperature may occur due to dehydration, breast engorgement, or hormonal changes. This does not need to be reported unless it exceeds 38 C (100.4 F) or persists for more than 24 hours.

Choice A reason:

This is the best response because it shows that the nurse is providing nonpharmacological pain relief measures and supporting the client's coping mechanisms. Breathing and imagery techniques can help the client relax and focus on something other than the pain. Moaning, screaming, and vocalizing are normal and acceptable ways of expressing pain during labor, and the nurse should not try to suppress them.

Choice B reason:

This is not the best response because it does not address the husband's concern or offer any intervention for the client's pain. Asking the client to rate her pain on a scale of 0 to 10 is a subjective assessment tool that may not reflect the true intensity of her pain. Furthermore, it may be difficult for the client to answer this question while she is in the second stage of labor.

Choice C reason:

This is not the best response because it may not be feasible or appropriate to administer more pain medication to the client in the second stage of labor. The obstetrician may not be available to evaluate the client's pain, and increasing the dose of pain medication may have adverse effects on the client and the fetus, such as respiratory depression, hypotension, and decreased uterine contractility.

Choice D reason:

This is not the best response because it does not acknowledge the husband's feelings or provide any comfort or education for him. Reassuring him that his wife will be fine may sound dismissive and insensitive, and offering to stay with her while he takes a walk may imply that he is not needed or wanted in the birthing room. The nurse should involve the husband in the care of his wife and explain to him what is happening and what to expect during labor.