Exam 13: Maternal Physiologic Changes

Several changes in the integumentary system that appear during pregnancy disappear after birth, although not always completely. What change is almost certain to be completely reversed?

Childbirth may result in injuries to the vagina and uterus. Pelvic floor exercises also known as Kegel exercises will help to strengthen the perineal muscles and encourage healing. The nurse knows that the woman understands the correct process for completing these conditioning exercises when she reports:

Which hormone remains elevated in the immediate postpartum period of the breastfeeding woman?

Which condition, not uncommon in pregnancy, is likely to require careful medical assessment during the puerperium?

With regard to postpartum ovarian function, nurses should be aware that:

A woman gave birth to a healthy infant boy 5 days ago. What type of lochia would the nurse expect to find when assessing this woman?

With regard to the postpartum changes and developments in a woman's cardiovascular system, nurses should be aware that:

Which woman is most likely to experience strong afterpains?

With regard to the condition and reconditioning of the urinary system after childbirth, nurses should be aware that:

Two days ago a woman gave birth to a full-term infant. Last night she awakened several times to urinate and noted that her gown and bedding were wet from profuse diaphoresis. One mechanism for the diaphoresis and diuresis that this woman is experiencing during the early postpartum period is:

A woman gave birth to an infant boy 10 hours ago. Where would the nurse expect to locate this woman's fundus?

With regard to the postpartum uterus, nurses should be aware that:

The self-destruction of excess hypertrophied tissue in the uterus is called:

The nurse caring for the postpartum woman understands that breast engorgement is caused by:

A woman gave birth to a 7-pound, 6-ounce infant girl 1 hour ago. The birth was vaginal, and the estimated blood loss (EBL) was approximately 1500 ml. When assessing the woman's vital signs, the nurse would be concerned to see:

Knowing that the condition of the new mother's breasts will be affected by whether she is breastfeeding, nurses should be able to tell their patients all of the following statements except:

Clotting factors and fibrinogen levels normally are decreased during pregnancy and remain low in the immediate puerperium. This hypocoagulable state increases the risk of thromboembolism, especially after cesarean birth.

The process in which the uterus returns to a non-pregnant state after birth is known as ____________________.

The interval between the birth of the newborn and the return of the reproductive organs to their normal nonpregnant state is called the: