During a clinic visit, a client reports to the nurse that she is having burning and numbness in her perineal area.
Further investigation reveals the client has herpes simplex virus (HSV) type II. Which information concerning herpes infection during pregnancy should the nurse include in the teaching plan for this client?

A rubella titer of 1:33 indicates a low level of immunity to rubella, which can be dangerous for a pregnant woman and her fetus.

Rubella is a viral infection that can cause birth defects or miscarriage if contracted during pregnancy.A rubella titer of 1:10 or higher is considered protective.

Choice B is wrong because a non-reactive serologic test for syphilis (STS) means that the patient does not have syphilis, which is a bacterial infection that can also harm the fetus if untreated.

Choice C is wrong because blood type A-negative does not require further assessment unless the patient has antibodies to the Rh factor, which can cause hemolytic disease of the newborn if the fetus is Rh-positive.

This can be prevented by giving the patient Rh immunoglobulin injections during pregnancy and after delivery.

Choice D is wrong because hemoglobin 12.2 gm/dL is within the normal range for a pregnant woman, which is 11 to 14 gm/dL.

Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.

A low hemoglobin level can indicate anemia, which can affect the oxygen delivery to the fetus and increase the risk of preterm labor or low birth weight.

The correct answer is choice A. The patient uses the sitz bath three times a day.This indicates that the patient understands the benefits of sitz baths for postpartum recovery, such as pain relief, increased blood flow, relaxation, cleansing, and itch relief.Sitz baths can be done with warm or cool water, depending on the preference of the patient.However, they should not be done for more than 20 minutes at a time, as this can cause the stitches in the perineal area to fall apart.

Therefore, choice C is wrong.Choice B is also wrong, as there is no evidence that alternating between warm and cool sitz baths has any additional benefits or effects.

Choice D is wrong, as tightening and relaxing the perineal muscles during a sitz bath is not recommended.This can cause more pain and irritation to the area, and interfere with the healing process.The normal ranges for sitz baths are two to four times a day for up to 20 minutes each.