Deck 29: Postpartum Adaptation and Nursing Assessment

Question 1

During the first several months after birth, the mother and infant begin to know each other. This relationship progresses through several phases. Which of the following actions are to be expected in the phase of mutual regulation?

A)The infant grasps his or her mother's finger while nursing.
B)The infant begins to seek out the mother over other individuals.
C)The mother spends more time making eye-to-eye contact with the infant.
D)The mother vocalizes feelings of frustration with her infant.

Answer 1

The mother vocalizes feelings of frustration with her infant.

Question 2

The nurse expects an initial weight loss for the average postpartum patient to be:

A)5-8 pounds.
B)10-12 pounds.
C)12-15 pounds.
D)15-20 pounds.

Answer 2

10-12 pounds.

Question 3

The nurse is performing an assessment of early attachment. During the assessment, the nurse needs to the question "Does the mother seem pleased with her baby's appearance and sex?" Which action of the mother might help this question?

A)The mother enfolds the infant in her arms.
B)The mother feeds the infant every 2-3 hours as instructed.
C)The mother points out family traits she sees in the newborn.
D)The mother asks questions about how to properly bathe her infant.

Answer 3

The mother points out family traits she sees in the newborn.

Question 4

On the first postpartum day, the nurse teaches the patient about breastfeeding. Two hours later, the mother seems to remember very little of the teaching. The nurse understands this memory lapse to be due to:

A)The taking-hold phase.
B)Postpartum hemorrhage.
C)The taking-in phase.
D)Epidural anesthesia

Question 5

The nurse is to begin the postpartum teaching of a mother who has given birth to her first child. What aspect of teaching is most important?

A)Describe the likely reaction of siblings to the new baby.
B)Discuss adaptation to grandparenthood by her parents.
C)Determine if father-infant attachment is taking place.
D)Assist the mother in identifying behavior cues of the baby.

Question 6

The nurse has received an end of shift report on the postpartum unit. Which patient should she see first?

A)Multip, second day post-cesarean, moderate lochia serosa
B)Primip, day of delivery, fundus firm 2 cm above umbilicus
C)Multip, first postpartum day, 4 cm diastasis recti abdominis
D)Primip, first postpartum day, hypoactive bowel sounds all quadrants

Question 7

Every time the nurse enters the room of a postpartum patient who gave birth three hours ago, the patient asks something else about her birth experience. The nurse would:

A)Answer : questions quickly and try to divert her attention to other subjects.
B)Review documentation of the birth experience and discuss it with her.
C)Contact the physician to warn him the patient might want to file a lawsuit due to her preoccupation with her birth experience.
D)Submit a referral to Social Services because you are concerned about obsessive behavior.

Question 8

The nurse is performing a postpartum assessment on a newly delivered patient. When checking the fundus, there is a gush of blood. The patient asks why that is happening. The best response is:

A)"We see this from time to time.It's not a big deal."
B)"The gush is an indication that your fundus isn't contracting."
C)"Don't worry.I'll make sure everything is fine."
D)"Blood has pooled in the vagina while you were in bed."

Question 9

During her interactions with a primipara mother, the nurse notices that the mother rarely interacts with the infant unless the infant begins to cry vigorously. She appears relieved when a nurse comes to check on the infant. What is the appropriate nursing intervention for this patient?

A)Ask the mother if she has previous experience caring for babies, and then teach her how to interact appropriately with her infant.
B)Contact Social Services with concerns of neglect.
C)Provide the care the infant needs while continuing to evaluate the mother's actions.
D)Take the infant to the nursery so it can receive more consistent care.

Question 10

The postpartum nurse is caring for a first-time mother who is unable to breastfeed her baby. While assessing the patient's breasts the day after birth, which teaching point should the nurse include?

A)The let-down reflex
B)Lactation suppression
C)The purpose of fundal massage
D)The cause of afterpains

Question 11

To assess healing of the uterus at the placental site, the nurse assesses:

A)Lab values.
B)Blood pressure.
C)Uterine size.
D)Type, amount, and consistency of lochia.