A woman has just entered the third stage of labor. The nurse would focus care on which of the following? Select one:

Choice A Reason: Hyperglycemia and increased appetite. This is an incorrect answer that describes symptoms of diabetes mellitus, not sepsis. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder where the body cannot produce or use insulin effectively, which results in high blood glucose levels and impaired glucose tolerance. Diabetes mellitus can affect newborns if the mother has pre-existing or gestational diabetes, which can cause macrosomia, hypoglycemia, or congenital anomalies.

Choice B Reason: Increased urinary output and spitting up mucous. This is an incorrect answer that indicates normal or benign conditions, not sepsis. Increased urinary output is a normal finding in newborns, as they eliminate the excess fluid that was accumulated during pregnancy. Spitting up mucous is a common occurrence in newborns, as they clear their airways of amniotic fluid or secretions.

Choice C Reason: Wakefulness and ruddy appearance. This is an incorrect answer that suggests healthy or normal characteristics, not sepsis. Wakefulness is a sign of alertness and responsiveness in newborns, which reflects their neurological development and adaptation. Ruddy appearance is a reddish color of the skin that is normal in newborns, especially in term or post-term infants, which indicates adequate oxygenation and hemoglobin levels.

Choice D Reason: Temperature instability and lethargy. This is because temperature instability and lethargy are common signs of sepsis in newborns, which indicate systemic infection and inflammation. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition where the body's response to infection causes tissue damage, organ failure, or death. Sepsis can occur in newborns due to maternal, fetal, or neonatal factors, such as chorioamnionitis, premature rupture of membranes, prolonged labor, invasive procedures, or bacterial colonization.

Choice A Reason: Daily weight. This is an incorrect answer that indicates a valid parameter to assess hydration status. Daily weight is a measure of the body mass that can reflect changes in fluid balance. Daily weight can help detect fluid loss or gain in premature infants, who are more prone to dehydration or overhydration due to immature renal function and high insensible water loss.

Choice B Reason: Consistency of stool. This is an incorrect answer that indicates a valid parameter to assess hydration status. Consistency of stool is a measure of the texture and form of feces that can reflect changes in fluid intake and absorption. Consistency of stool can help identify diarrhea or constipation in premature infants, who are more susceptible to gastrointestinal problems such as necrotizing enterocolitis or feeding intolerance.

Choice C Reason: Volume of urine output. This is an incorrect answer that indicates a valid parameter to assess hydration status. Volume of urine output is a measure of the amount of urine produced and excreted by the kidneys that can reflect changes in fluid balance and renal function. Volume of urine output can help monitor hydration status and kidney function in premature infants, who are more vulnerable to fluid overload or deficit and renal impairment.

Choice D Reason: Blood pH. This is because blood pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the blood, which reflects the balance between carbon dioxide and bicarbonate in the body. Blood pH is not a direct indicator of hydration status, which refers to the amount of water and electrolytes in the body. Hydration status can affect blood pH, but blood pH can also be influenced by other factors such as respiratory or metabolic disorders.