Deck 27: Care of the Mother and Newborn

Question 1

The nurse tells the new mother that the prepregnancy weight is usually achieved without dieting within:

A) 2 to 3 weeks.
B) 4 to 5 weeks.
C) 6 to 8 weeks.
D) 3 months.

Answer 1

6 to 8 weeks.

Question 2

When instructing the nursing mother,the nurse explains that engorgement is most likely to occur when the:

A) infant's mouth surrounds the areola when feeding.
B) breast tissue becomes congested.
C) breast is emptied completely at each feeding.
D) infant's mouth grasps the nipple firmly.

Answer 2

breast tissue becomes congested.

Question 3

When the breastfeeding mother asks about nutritional needs while breastfeeding,the nurse gives her a brochure showing the recommended nutritional requirements during breastfeeding as:

A) an additional 1000 mL of fluids.
B) prenatal vitamins and an additional 300 calories.
C) at least three glasses of milk a day.
D) a well-balanced diet with 500 additional calories.

Answer 3

a well-balanced diet with 500 additional calories.

Question 4

Within the first hour following a vaginal delivery,the nurse assesses the mother and finds the fundus is firm and there is a trickle of bright red blood.The nurse recognizes that:

A) this is a normal occurrence.
B) this is abnormal and should be reported.
C) the perineum needs to be checked frequently.
D) the patient should be restricted to bed rest.

Question 5

A mother delivered her baby at midnight and it is now 0900.She wants to sleep and asks the nurse to take care of the baby.The nurse recognizes this is an example of:

A) fatigue from labor.
B) normal "taking in" response.
C) abnormal "taking in" response.
D) risk for altered maternal-infant bonding.

Question 6

Before initially feeding an infant,the nurse must assess for the presence of the:

A) Moro reflex.
B) rooting reflex.
C) Babinski reflex.
D) swallow reflex.

Question 7

The new mother is 1 day postpartum and asks about bathing.The nurse provides her with information and recognizes the responsibility to:

A) tell her to take a tub bath to prevent injury.
B) encourage a sponge bath for 3 days.
C) let the patient shower and check on her frequently.
D) suggest she use hot water to get really clean.

Question 8

The new mother has decided not to breastfeed the baby.To suppress the milk supply,the nurse recommends that the mother:

A) pump the breasts to remove milk.
B) apply warm,moist compresses.
C) restrict oral fluids.
D) apply a firm bra and ice packs.

Question 9

The nurse explains that following delivery,the return of the menstrual cycle,which is anovulatory,depends on the return of estrogen to normal levels,which may take from:

A) 3 weeks to 3 months.
B) 4 weeks to 4 months.
C) 6 weeks to 6 months.
D) 8 weeks to 8 months.

Question 10

The nurse is assessing the fundus of a mother who has just given birth.The proper way to perform this procedure is by using:

A) the side of one hand moving down from the umbilicus.
B) one hand over the lower segment of the uterus.
C) one hand pushing upward from the lower uterus.
D) one hand on the lower uterine segment while the other hand locates the fundus of the uterus.

Question 11

The postpartum patient complains of discomfort in her breasts.When explaining engorgement to the mother,the nurse states that it:

A) occurs on the first or second postpartum day.
B) is first observed in the axillary region.
C) occurs only in women who are not breastfeeding.
D) occurs near the nipple on the third postpartum day.

Question 12

During the immediate postpartum period,the mother has a temperature of 100.2° F,pulse 52,respirations 18,BP 138/84.What should the nurse do?

A) Report the temperature as abnormal.
B) Continue to monitor every 15 minutes.
C) Report the pulse as abnormal.
D) Report that vital signs are normal.

Question 13

Twelve hours following the delivery of a baby,the mother is assessed by the nurse.As the nurse palpates the level of the fundus of the uterus,it should be:

A) firm and 2 cm below the umbilicus.
B) firm and at the umbilicus.
C) slightly boggy and 1 cm below the umbilicus.
D) halfway between the umbilicus and the symphysis pubis.

Question 14

When describing colostrum to the new mother,the nurse states that it is:

A) slightly yellow and low in protein.
B) slightly yellow and provides antibodies.
C) creamy and high in fat and protein.
D) colorless and high in fat and carbohydrates.

Question 15

A new Native-American mother tells the nurse that when she goes home,her mother-in-law will be caring for the baby while she rests.The nurse is concerned,and her response should be to:

A) explain the importance of ambulating to recover.
B) explain the importance of maternal-infant bonding.
C) explore ways to blend this with safe health teaching.
D) encourage this cultural behavior.

Question 16

The postpartum mother tells the nurse she is afraid to have a bowel movement because of her painful episiotomy.What should the nurse do?

A) Offer a suppository or enema.
B) Encourage ambulation.
C) Offer stool softeners as prescribed.
D) Offer pain medication before defecating.

Question 17

The finding the nurse would assess as normal of a 1 day postpartum patient is:

A) pinkish to brown lochia.
B) voiding frequently 50 mL to 75 mL of urine.
C) complaining of "after pains."
D) fundus 1 cm above the umbilicus.

Question 18

The vaginal discharge following delivery is called lochia.It changes color over time and has different names.The initial discharge is charted by the nurse as lochia:

A) serosa.
B) rubra.
C) palatine.
D) alba.

Question 19

The new mother is breastfeeding her baby and asks about the milk from her breasts.The nurse explains that the first secretion produced by the breast is called:

A) prolactin.
B) colostrum.
C) false milk.
D) whey.

Question 20

The new mother had spinal anesthesia during a cesarean delivery.She now has a desire to void and can wiggle her toes.If she wants to go to the bathroom,the nurse should:

A) assess her blood pressure.
B) obtain a wheelchair.
C) palpate her bladder.
D) put slippers on her feet.

Question 21

The new mother tells the home health nurse that she is concerned about her 5-day-old infant's hard,dried umbilical stump.The nurse tells her this desired outcome is called _______________.

Question 22

The mother who has been breastfeeding her infant for 5 days asks if the baby's stools are normal.The nurse describes the normal breastfed stool as:

A) green and loose.
B) dark green and sticky.
C) pale yellow and frequent.
D) bright yellow and pasty.

Question 23

After delivery of a 9-pound baby,the nurse assesses a perineal laceration extending through the muscles of the perineum.The nurse records this as a ________-degree laceration.

Question 24

Following delivery of the newborn,the nurse ensures the newborn is immediately:

A) weighed.
B) warmed.
C) bathed.
D) inoculated.

Question 25

The newborn is covered with a cream cheese-like substance,which protects the infant's skin from the amniotic fluid.This substance is called:

A) lanugo.
B) meconium.
C) desquamation.
D) vernix caseosa.

Question 26

Which finding would the nurse suspect as abnormal in the infant during initial assessment?

A) Eyes crossed at times
B) Persistent high-pitched cry
C) Arms and legs flexed
D) Slight bluish tinge of the extremities

Question 27

The nurse describes the return of the postpartum patient's uterus to a pregravid state as ________________.

Question 28

The new mother calls the nurse to her room to show how her baby is "jerking around" when she changes his position.The nurse explains that this response is the normal:

A) traction reflex.
B) Babinski reflex.
C) tonic neck reflex.
D) Moro reflex.

Question 29

The nurse is caring for a newborn who has just been circumcised.The nurse alters the care plan to include:

A) administration of a topical anesthetic to the site.
B) application of ice to stop bleeding.
C) retraction of any remaining foreskin.
D) observation for bleeding for the first 12 hours.

Question 30

The nurse explains that vitamin K by injection is given to the newborn at risk for hemorrhage because:

A) most mothers have a vitamin K deficiency that develops during pregnancy.
B) bacteria that synthesize vitamin K are not present in newborns.
C) vitamin K prevents the synthesis of prothrombin.
D) the newborn does not store vitamin K.

Question 31

The nurse explains that vernix caseosa can be left on the newborn for _____ hours.

Question 32

The nurse explains that to detect inborn errors of metabolism,state law requires that certain diagnostic tests be performed on the newborn,such as:

A) blood glucose.
B) phenylketonuria (PKU).
C) blood urea nitrogen (BUN).
D) prothrombin time (PT).

Question 33

When assessing the newborn,the nurse identifies a finding that suggests a chromosomal disorder,which is:

A) Epstein's pearls.
B) gynecomastia.
C) Babinski reflex.
D) low-set ears.

Question 34

The nurse explains that the Newborn and Mother's Health Protection Act of 1996 requires that all health program plans allow a postdelivery hospital stay of at least _____ hours.

Question 35

When discussing care of a circumcised infant after discharge from the hospital,the nurse should tell the mother to:

A) gently remove the yellow exudate from the foreskin.
B) apply sterile petroleum gauze after each diaper change.
C) wipe the circumcision with alcohol each day.
D) apply a plastic-lined diaper to prevent urine from leaking.

Question 36

The nurse identifies that the newborn is jaundiced within the first 24 hours,with jaundice over bony prominences of the face and the mucous membrane.The nurse recognizes that this is:

A) physiological.
B) normal.
C) abnormal.
D) transitory.

Question 37

The nurse is performing an Apgar score on a newborn.Cyanosis,which is considered normal,is expected to be found on the:

A) circumoral area.
B) brow.
C) feet.
D) mucous membrane.

Question 38

The nurse is giving a bath demonstration for a group of new mothers.An important piece of information she gives this group is to:

A) apply baby powder generously to keep baby dry.
B) cleanse perineum from front to back.
C) use scented soap to make baby smell good.
D) partially submerge head in water when shampooing.