Question 1

____________________ is the most common postpartum infection.

Accepted Answer

Endometritis&#10;Endometritis usually begins as a localized infection at the placental site;however,it can spread to involve the entire endometrium.Assessment for signs of endometritis may reveal a fever,elevated pulse,chills,anorexia,fatigue,pelvic pain,uterine tenderness,or foul-smelling profuse lochia.

Question 2

A woman who has recently given birth complains of pain and tenderness in her leg.On physical examination,the nurse notices warmth and redness over an enlarged,hardened area.The nurse should suspect ______ and should confirm the diagnosis by ________.

A)Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC);asking for laboratory tests
B)von Willebrand disease (vWD);noting whether bleeding times have been extended
C)Thrombophlebitis;using real-time and color Doppler ultrasound
D)Thrombocytopenic purpura;drawing blood for laboratory analysis

Accepted Answer

Pain and tenderness in the extremities,which show warmth,redness,and hardness,is likely thrombophlebitis.A Doppler ultrasound is a common noninvasive way to confirm diagnosis.The diagnosis of DIC is made according to clinical findings and laboratory markers.Physical examination reveals unusual bleeding.Petechiae may appear around a blood pressure cuff on the woman's arm.Excessive bleeding may occur from the site of a slight trauma such as a venipuncture site.Symptoms of vWD,a type of hemophilia,include recurrent bleeding episodes,prolonged bleeding time,and Factor VIII deficiency.A risk for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)exists and does not present as a warm or reddened area in an extremity.Idiopathic or immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)is an autoimmune disorder in which the life span of antiplatelet antibodies is decreased.Increased bleeding time is a diagnostic finding and the risk of postpartum uterine bleeding is increased.

Question 3

Lacerations of the cervix,vagina,or perineum are also causes of PPH.Factors that influence the causes and incidence of obstetric lacerations of the lower genital tract include all except:&#10;A)Operative or precipitate birth&#10;B)Adherent retained placenta&#10;C)Abnormal presentation of the fetus&#10;D)Congenital abnormalities of the maternal soft parts

Accepted Answer

Abnormal adherence of the placenta occurs for reasons unknown.Attempts to remove the placenta in the usual manner are unsuccessful and laceration or perforation of the uterine wall may result.This disorder does not influence lower genital tract lacerations.Lacerations of the perineum are the most common of all lower genital tract injuries and often occur with both precipitate and operative births.These are classified as first,second,third,and fourth degree.Abnormal presentation,position of the fetus,and relative size of the presenting part and the birth canal may contribute to lacerations of the lower genital tract.Congenital abnormalities,previous scarring from infection or injury,and a contracted pelvis may influence injury to the lower genital tract followed by hemorrhage.

Question 4

Nurses need to know the basic definitions and incidence data about postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).For instance:&#10;A)PPH is easy to recognize early;after all,the woman is bleeding&#10;B)Traditionally,it takes more than 1000 ml of blood after vaginal birth and 2500 ml after cesarean birth to define the condition as PPH&#10;C)If anything,nurses and doctors tend to overestimate the amount of blood loss&#10;D)Traditionally,PPH has been classified as early or late with respect to birth

Accepted Answer

Early PPH is also known as primary,or acute,PPH;late PPH is known as secondary PPH.Unfortunately,PPH can occur with little warning and often is recognized only after the mother has profound symptoms.Traditionally,a 500-ml blood loss after a vaginal birth and a 1000-ml blood loss after a cesarean birth constitute PPH.Medical personnel tend to underestimate blood loss by as much as 50% in their subjective observations.

Question 5

A perinatal nurse is caring for a woman in the immediate postbirth period.Assessment reveals that the woman is experiencing profuse bleeding.The most likely etiology for the bleeding is:&#10;A)Uterine atony&#10;B)Uterine inversion&#10;C)Vaginal hematoma&#10;D)Vaginal laceration

Accepted Answer

Uterine atony is marked hypotonia of the uterus.It is the leading cause of postpartum hemorrhage.Uterine inversion may lead to hemorrhage,but it is not the most likely source of this client's bleeding.Furthermore,if the woman were experiencing a uterine inversion,it would be evidenced by the presence of a large,red,rounded mass protruding from the introitus.A vaginal hematoma may be associated with hemorrhage.However,the most likely clinical finding is pain,not the presence of profuse bleeding.A vaginal laceration may cause hemorrhage;however,it is more likely that profuse bleeding will result from uterine atony.A vaginal laceration should be suspected if vaginal bleeding continues in the presence of a firm,contracted uterine fundus.

Question 6

It is important for the perinatal nurse to be knowledgeable regarding conditions of abnormal adherence of the placenta.This occurs when the zygote implants in an area of defective endometrium and results in little to no zone separation between the placenta and decidua.Which classification of separation is not recognized as an abnormal adherence pattern?

A)Placenta accreta
B)Placenta increta
C)Placenta percreta
D)Placenta abruptio

Accepted Answer

Placenta abruptio is premature separation of the placenta as opposed to partial or complete adherence.This occurs between the twentieth week of gestation and delivery in the area of the decidua basalis.Symptoms include localized pain and bleeding.Placenta accreta is a recognized degree of attachment.With placenta accreta there is slight penetration of the trophoblast into the myometrium.Placenta increta is a recognized degree of attachment that results in deep penetration of the myometrium.Placenta percreta is the most severe degree of placental penetration that results in deep penetration of the myometrium.Bleeding with complete placental attachment occurs only when separation of the placenta is attempted after delivery.Treatment includes blood component therapy and in extreme cases,hysterectomy may be necessary.

Question 7

Which client is at greatest risk for early postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)?&#10;A)A primiparous woman (G 2,P 1-0-0-1)being prepared for an emergency cesarean birth for fetal distress&#10;B)A woman with severe preeclampsia on magnesium sulfate whose labor is being induced&#10;C)A multiparous woman (G 3,P 2-0-0-2)with an 8-hour labor&#10;D)A primigravida in spontaneous labor with preterm twins

Accepted Answer

Magnesium sulfate administration during labor poses a risk for PPH.Magnesium acts as a smooth muscle relaxant,thereby contributing to uterine relaxation and atony.A primiparous woman being prepared for an emergency cesarean birth for fetal distress does not indicate risk factors or causes of early PPH.A multiparous woman with an 8-hour labor does not indicate risk factors or causes of early PPH.A primigravida in spontaneous labor with preterm twins does not indicate risk factors or causes of early PPH.

Question 8

Medications used to manage postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)include (choose all that apply):&#10;A)Oxytocin&#10;B)Methergine&#10;C)Terbutaline&#10;D)Hemabate&#10;E)Magnesium sulfate

Accepted Answer

Oxytocin,methergine,and hemabate are medications used to manage PPH.Terbutaline and magnesium sulfate are tocolytics;relaxation of the uterus causes or worsens PPH.

Question 9

The perinatal nurse assisting with establishing lactation is aware that acute mastitis can be minimized by:&#10;A)Washing the nipples and breasts with mild soap and water once a day&#10;B)Using proper breastfeeding techniques&#10;C)Wearing a nipple shield for the first few days of breastfeeding&#10;D)Wearing a supportive bra 24 hours a day

Accepted Answer

Almost all instances of acute mastitis can be avoided by proper breastfeeding technique to prevent cracked nipples.Washing the nipples and breasts daily is no longer indicated.In fact,this can cause tissue dryness and irritation,which can lead to tissue breakdown and infection.Wearing a nipple shield does not prevent mastitis.Wearing a supportive bra 24 hours a day may contribute to mastitis,especially if an underwire bra is worn,because it may put pressure on the upper,outer area of the breast,contributing to blocked ducts and mastitis.

Question 10

When caring for a postpartum woman experiencing hemorrhagic shock,the nurse recognizes that the most objective and least invasive assessment of adequate organ perfusion and oxygenation is:&#10;A)Absence of cyanosis in the buccal mucosa&#10;B)Cool,dry skin&#10;C)Diminished restlessness&#10;D)Urinary output of at least 30 ml/hr

Accepted Answer

Hemorrhage may result in hemorrhagic shock.Shock is an emergency situation in which the perfusion of body organs may become severely compromised,and death may occur.The presence of adequate urinary output indicates adequate tissue perfusion.The assessment of the buccal mucosa for cyanosis can be subjective.The presence of cool,pale,clammy skin is associated with hemorrhagic shock.Hemorrhagic shock is associated with lethargy,not restlessness.

Question 11

A perinatal nurse caring for a postpartum woman understands that late postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)is most likely caused by:&#10;A)Subinvolution of the uterus&#10;B)Defective vascularity of the decidua&#10;C)Cervical lacerations&#10;D)Coagulation disorders

Accepted Answer

The answer of A perinatal nurse caring for a postpartum...

Question 12

The most effective and least expensive treatment of puerperal infection is prevention.What is the most important strategy?&#10;A)Large doses of vitamin C during pregnancy&#10;B)Prophylactic antibiotics&#10;C)Strict aseptic technique,including handwashing,by all health care personnel&#10;D)Limited protein and fat intake

Accepted Answer

The answer of The most effective and least expensive treatment...

Question 13

A primary nursing responsibility when caring for a woman experiencing an obstetric hemorrhage associated with uterine atony is to:&#10;A)Establish venous access&#10;B)Perform fundal massage&#10;C)Prepare the woman for surgical intervention&#10;D)Catheterize the bladder

Accepted Answer

The answer of A primary nursing responsibility when caring for...

Question 14

One of the first symptoms of puerperal infection to assess for in the postpartum woman is:&#10;A)Fatigue continuing for longer than 1 week&#10;B)Pain with voiding&#10;C)Profuse vaginal bleeding with ambulation&#10;D)Temperature of 38&#176; C (100.4&#176; F)or higher on 2 successive days starting 24 hours after birth

Accepted Answer

The answer of One of the first symptoms of puerperal...

Deck 34: Postpartum Complications