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A nurse is caring for a client who is 36 hours postpartum.

The nurse’s notes indicate the following: Breasts are soft, warm, and tender to touch. The client denies any nipple or breast discomfort.

The fundus is boggy, located 1 cm above the umbilicus and deviated to the right. The fundus becomes firm with massage.

The client reports abdominal cramping and rates the pain as 8 on a scale of 0 to 10. The perineal pad shows a moderate amount of lochia rubra.

The client has been given an analgesic.

After reviewing the information in the client’s medical record, which of the following complications poses the greatest risk for the client?

A.

Postpartum hemorrhage

B.

Infection

C.

Thrombophlebitis

D.

Pulmonary embolism

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A rationale

Postpartum hemorrhage is a serious condition characterized by heavy bleeding after childbirth. In the scenario described, the nurse’s notes indicate that the client’s fundus is boggy and located 1 cm above the umbilicus, which becomes firm with massage. This could be a sign of uterine atony, a leading cause of postpartum hemorrhage. Additionally, the client reports abdominal cramping and rates the pain as 8 on a scale of 0 to 10, and the perineal pad shows a moderate amount of lochia rubra. These are all signs that could indicate a postpartum hemorrhage.

Choice B rationale

While infection is a possible postpartum complication, the symptoms provided do not strongly indicate an infection. Symptoms of a postpartum infection typically include soreness, tenderness, or swelling of the belly or abdomen, chills, pain while urinating or during sex, abnormal vaginal discharge that has a bad smell or blood in it, and a general feeling of discomfort or unwellness.

Choice C rationale

Thrombophlebitis is a condition where an inflammation in a vein is caused by a blood clot, affecting normal blood flow. It commonly occurs in the legs but can occur elsewhere in the body. The symptoms include swelling of the affected area, redness of the affected area, tenderness of the affected area, warmth around the affected area, and pain. However, the symptoms provided do not strongly indicate thrombophlebitis.

Choice D rationale

Pulmonary embolism is a serious condition that occurs when a blood clot gets lodged in an artery in the lung, blocking blood flow to part of the lung. Symptoms can include shortness of breath or chest pain. However, the symptoms provided do not strongly indicate a pulmonary embolism.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Hypotension, or low blood pressure, is a common complication from an epidural block16. This occurs because the medication used in the epidural can block sympathetic nerve fibers, which can cause blood vessels to dilate and lead to a drop in blood pressure16.

Choice B rationale

Vomiting is not typically a direct complication of an epidural block16. Nausea and vomiting during labor can have many causes, including the physical process of labor, pain, and medications.

Choice C rationale

Tachycardia, or a fast heart rate, is not typically a complication of an epidural block16. In fact, some of the medications used in an epidural can actually cause a slower heart rate.

Choice D rationale

While severe respiratory depression can occur with an epidural, it is extremely rare16. More commonly, an epidural can cause a feeling of breathlessness or difficulty taking a deep breath, but it should not cause significant respiratory depression.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Drying the infant off and covering the head is important to prevent heat loss, but it is not the first action to be taken. The newborn’s body temperature can drop rapidly because of the evaporation of amniotic fluid, so drying the infant is a priority, but not the first one.

Choice B rationale

Stimulating the infant to cry is important as it helps to clear the lungs of amniotic fluid and promotes the expansion of the lungs for effective oxygenation. However, this is not the first action to be taken. The first action is to clear the respiratory tract.

Choice C rationale

Clearing the respiratory tract is the first action to be taken to ensure the newborn can breathe properly. This is done by suctioning the mouth first and then the nose to prevent aspiration of mucus or amniotic fluid, which can lead to respiratory distress.

Choice D rationale

Cutting the umbilical cord is done after the newborn’s respiratory status is stable. It is not the first action to be taken. The umbilical cord is usually clamped and cut by the healthcare provider after it has stopped pulsating, or after the newborn has started to breathe on their own.

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