A woman who is 12 hours postpartum had a pulse rate around 80 beats per minute during pregnancy. Now, the nurse finds a pulse of 60 beats per minute. Which of these actions should the nurse take?
Select one:

Contact the physician, as it indicates early DIC.

Contact the physician, as it is a first sign of postpartum eclampsia.

Document the finding as it is a normal finding at this time.

Obtain an order for a CBC, as it suggests postpartum anemia.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A Reason: Contact the physician, as it indicates early DIC. This is an incorrect answer that confuses a low pulse rate with a high pulse rate. DIC stands for disseminated intravascular coagulation, which is a life-threatening condition where abnormal clotting and bleeding occur simultaneously in the body. DIC can occur as a complication of postpartum hemorrhage, infection, or placental abruption. DIC can cause tachycardia (high pulse rate), not bradycardia (low pulse rate).

Choice B Reason: Contact the physician, as it is a first sign of postpartum eclampsia. This is an incorrect answer that misinterprets a low pulse rate as a sign of hypertension. Postpartum eclampsia is a condition where seizures occur in a woman who has preeclampsia or eclampsia after delivery. Preeclampsia and eclampsia are characterized by high blood pressure and proteinuria in pregnancy. Postpartum eclampsia can cause hypertension (high blood pressure), not hypotension (low blood pressure).

Choice C Reason: Document the finding as it is a normal finding at this time. This is because a pulse rate of 60 beats per minute is within the normal range for an adult and may reﬂect a physiological adaptation to the postpartum period. During pregnancy, the maternal blood volume and cardiac output increase, which can elevate the pulse rate. After delivery, these parameters gradually return to pre-pregnancy levels, which can lower the pulse rate.

Choice D Reason: Obtain an order for a CBC, as it suggests postpartum anemia. This is an incorrect answer that assumes that a low pulse rate is caused by anemia. Anemia is a condition where the red blood cell count or hemoglobin level is lower than normal, which can impair oxygen delivery to the tissues. Anemia can occur in the postpartum period due to blood loss during delivery or poor nutritional intake during pregnancy. Anemia can cause tachycardia (high pulse rate), not bradycardia (low pulse rate).

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A Reason: Latent phase of the first stage of labor. This is because this phase is characterized by mild and irregular contractions, slow cervical dilation (up to 4 cm), minimal cervical eﬀacement (up to 40%), and minimal discomfort or pain. The latent phase is also known as the early phase or preparatory phase of labor.

Choice B Reason: Transition phase of the first stage of labor. This is an incorrect answer that describes a diﬀerent phase with diﬀerent characteristics. The transition phase is marked by strong and frequent contractions, rapid cervical dilation (from 8 to 10 cm), complete cervical eﬀacement (100%), and intense discomfort or pain. The transition phase is also known as the terminal phase or acceleration phase of labor.

Choice C Reason: Perineal phase of the second stage of labor. This is an incorrect answer that refers to another stage and phase with diﬀerent features. The second stage of labor begins with complete cervical dilation (10 cm) and ends with delivery of the baby. The perineal phase is the last part of the second stage, where the baby's head crowns and emerges through the vaginal opening.

Choice D Reason: Active phase of the first stage of labor. This is an incorrect answer that indicates another phase with diﬀerent atributes. The active phase is characterized by moderate and regular contractions, progressive cervical dilation (from 4 to 8 cm), increased cervical eﬀacement (from 40% to 80%), and increased discomfort or pain. The active phase is also known as the middle phase or dilatation phase of labor.

A. Macrosomic newborn. B. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). C. Umbilical cord prolapse. D. Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS).

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A Reason: Macrosomic newborn. This is a correct answer that describes a possible complication of post-term pregnancy. A macrosomic newborn is a newborn that weighs more than 4000 grams or 8 pounds 13 ounces at birth. It can occur in post-term pregnancies due to prolonged exposure to maternal glucose and insulin. It can increase the risk of birth injuries, shoulder dystocia, cesarean delivery, and hypoglycemia.

Choice B Reason: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). This is a correct answer that indicates a potential problem of post-term pregnancy. IUGR is a condition where the fetal growth is slower than expected for gestational age. It can occur in post-term pregnancies due to placental insufficiency, aging, or calcification, which can impair nutrient and oxygen delivery to the fetus. It can increase the risk of fetal distress, hypoxia, acidosis, and stillbirth.

Choice C Reason: Umbilical cord prolapse. This is an incorrect answer that does not reﬂect a risk of post-term pregnancy, but rather a risk of other factors such as prematurity, low birth weight, breech presentation, multiple gestation, polyhydramnios, or artificial rupture of membranes.

Choice D Reason: Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS). This is a correct answer that denotes a possible complication of post-term pregnancy. MAS occurs when fetal stool (meconium) enters into the lungs before or during birth, causing airway obstruction, inﬂammation, and infection. MAS usually aﬀects term or post-term infants who experience fetal distress or hypoxia in utero. It can cause respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN), or chronic lung disease (CLD).

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A woman who is 12 hours postpartum had a pulse rate around 80 beats per minute during pregnancy. Now, the nurse finds a pulse of 60 beats per minute. Which of these actions should the nurse take? Select one:

Nursing Test Bank

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Explanation

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A woman who is 12 hours postpartum had a pulse rate around 80 beats per minute during pregnancy. Now, the nurse finds a pulse of 60 beats per minute. Which of these actions should the nurse take?
Select one: