Exam 16: Caring for the Woman Experiencing Complications During the Postpartal Period

The perinatal nurse teaches the postpartum woman about warning signs regarding the development of postpartum infection.The nurse teaches that fever and which of the following symptoms need to be assessed by a health-care provider?

A postpartum woman who had a prolonged labor presents to the clinic complaining of abdominal pain,high fevers with chills,and back pain.The nurse notes the patient's heart rate is 142 beats/minute,and her abdomen is tender with hypoactive bowel sounds.The patient will be admitted,and when giving report to the hospital nurse,the clinic nurse advises that the patient will probably receive what initial treatment?

A woman had a cesarean birth after a prolonged trial of labor.When assessing the patient,the nurse notes the patient is lethargic,has a pulse of 130 beats/minute,and states: "I'm glad I have so little lochia; I'm too tired to change my pad." What action by the nurse is most appropriate?

Approximately 8 hours ago,a woman gave birth after 2.5 hours of pushing.She required an episiotomy and an assisted birth (forceps).The perinatal nurse assesses a slight bulge in the perineum and the presence of ecchymosis to the right of the episiotomy.The area feels "full" and is approximately 4 cm in diameter.The patient describes this area as "tender." What intervention does the nurse anticipate for this situation?

A woman is being treated for endometritis after a cesarean birth.To prevent a possible complication,what action by the nurse is best?

A woman is hospitalized emergently for postpartum psychosis.For which of the following does the nurse prepare the patient as initial treatment?

A nurse manager in the perinatal clinic wants to begin screening male partners for risk factors for committing intimate partner abuse.What risk factors does the manager include on the new screening form?

A nurse is assessing a patient for a perineal hematoma.Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

A perinatal nurse is teaching a woman who is in a violent relationship about safety-promoting behaviors.Which of the following does the nurse include in teaching?

The perinatal nurse is aware that a key factor contributing to suboptimal outcomes for pregnant women and their families is which of the following?

A nurse is teaching a postpartum patient about preventing infection after discharge.What action by the patient indicates that she needs additional teaching?

The perinatal nurse explains risk factors for hematoma formation to a group of nursing students.What risk factors does the nurse include in the teaching?

A postpartum woman has a deep vein thrombosis.The patient states,"I feel anxious and have some pain in my chest." The patient's respiratory rate is 28 breaths per minute.The perinatal nurse should prepare to respond to which of the following conditions?

A patient has been transferred to an intensive care unit (ICU)after experiencing a pulmonary embolus.The patient is stable 24 hours later,but will remain in the unit for another day or two.At this time,the priority for the perinatal nurse is to provide the family with information about infant care and what other action?

A patient is being dismissed after giving birth and having a hematoma drained in the Operating room.What action by the patient best indicates to the nurse that outcomes for the diagnosis of risk for altered attachment have been met?

A woman is hospitalized after an incision and drainage of a large breast abscess that cultured methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.What dietary choices indicate that she has understood teaching regarding nutrition and wound healing?

A patient was discharged from the hospital on warfarin sodium (Coumadin)and is now in the perinatal clinic for follow-up.Which of the following would best indicate to the nurse that goals for discharge teaching have been met?

The nursing faculty member explains to a class of nursing students the risk factors for developing postpartum depression (PPD).Which of the following does the faculty include?

A perinatal nurse explains to the nursing student that pregnant women have risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (DVT)as a result of their pregnancy.To which components of Virchow's triad is the nurse referring?

The perinatal nurse administers heparin as ordered to the postpartum woman with newly diagnosed deep vein thrombosis.The patient asks about the purpose of the medication.Which response by the nurse is best?