Question 1

The ICU nurse is caring for a postpartum patient who experienced complications.Which color of lochia does the nurse expect to find on the fifth day postpartum?

Accepted Answer

By the fifth day postpartum, the lochia should have progressed to a pink color, indicating a decrease in bleeding and healing of the uterus. Bright red or dark red lochia would indicate increased bleeding and potential complications, while yellow-white lochia would indicate a lack of progression and potential retained products of conception.

Question 2

Which patient does the nurse anticipate is most likely to experience afterpains?

Accepted Answer

Afterpains are typically more intense in multiparas due to the increased uterine muscle tone and sensitivity from previous pregnancies. The more children a woman has had, the stronger her afterpains may be.

Question 3

Which events after delivery of the placenta cause the uterus to contract and begin shrinking to nonpregnant size?

Accepted Answer

Reduced estrogen and progesterone levels after the delivery of the placenta signal the body to initiate uterine contractions, which help the uterus begin shrinking back to its nonpregnant size.

Question 4

The nurse is making a home-care visit when the newborn starts to cry.The new mother smiles and says,"That's his hungry cry." The nurse interprets this as indicating the mother is in which phase of maternal role attainment?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is making a home-care visit...

Question 5

Which behavior observed by the nurse indicates a new mother is beginning to bond with her newborn?

Accepted Answer

Taking the en face position (face-to-face) with the newborn indicates an instinctual attraction and connection with the baby, which is a sign of beginning to bond.

Question 6

The nurse examines a postpartum woman who is 1 day postdelivery.Which finding does the nurse consider abnormal?

Accepted Answer

The fundus 1 cm below the umbilicus (A), bright red lochia (B), and a dilated cervix (C) are normal findings in a woman who is 1 day postdelivery. Reduced fibrinogen levels (D) are abnormal because fibrinogen levels typically increase during pregnancy and remain elevated in the immediate postpartum period to prevent excessive bleeding.

Question 7

The nurse working in a women's clinic admits a patient who is almost 6 weeks postpartum and describes a yellow-white vaginal drainage.The nurse interprets this as indicating what?

Accepted Answer

Yellow-white vaginal discharge at six weeks postpartum indicates expected lochia progression, which is a normal vaginal discharge after giving birth. It consists of blood, mucus, and uterine tissue that is discharged from the uterus as it heals after childbirth.

Question 8

Which statement by a postpartum patient indicates teaching regarding menses and contraception has been understood?

Accepted Answer

Option D correctly indicates that the patient understands the need for contraception when resuming sexual activity in order to avoid pregnancy. Option A is incorrect because ovulation can occur before the first menstrual period, making it possible to become pregnant. Option B may also be incorrect as breastfeeding may not be a reliable form of contraception. Option C is incorrect because a diaphragm should not be used until after the uterus has returned to its pre-pregnancy size, and it should be refitted by a healthcare provider.

Question 9

The nurse enters a postpartum patient's room and finds the father staring at the newborn in the bassinet with a contemplative look on his face.How should the nurse interpret this behavior?

Accepted Answer

The father's contemplative look suggests that he is bonding with the newborn. New fathers often experience complex emotions and may need time to process their new roles as caregivers. It is important for the nurse to offer support and encouragement for father-infant bonding. Choices A, B, and C are not supported by the information given and may unnecessarily alarm the nurse or create an unhelpful or negative dynamic with the family.

Question 10

A woman reports she has not urinated since delivering 8 hours ago and says she has no urge to void despite drinking adequate fluids postpartum.The nurse attributes this to what?

Accepted Answer

The woman's lack of urge to void and not urinating since delivery may indicate a reduced bladder tone, which is a common postpartum condition. The uterus is still enlarged postpartum, which can cause pressure on the bladder and decrease its tone. It is not necessary that the woman is dehydrated or experiencing epinephrine release. While the bladder may have more room to expand due to the smaller uterus, this is not the primary reason for the woman's lack of urge to void.

Question 11

While reviewing laboratory values,the nurse sees a postpartum patient's white blood cell count is 26,699 mg/dL,and her neutrophil count is also elevated.Which is the nurse's priority action?

Accepted Answer

The answer of While reviewing laboratory values,the nurse sees a...

Question 12

Which observed behavior arouses the nurse's concern as an indication the mother is not bonding with her baby?

Accepted Answer

The mother's refusal to hold the infant and request to keep the baby in the nursery is a sign that she may not be bonding with the baby. Bonding involves forming an emotional connection and attachment, which is typically facilitated through physical contact and holding the infant. The mother's behavior may indicate anxiety or discomfort in her role as a caregiver. The other options may also warrant further assessment, but the refusal to hold the infant is the most significant concern.

Question 13

Which is the best intervention for the nurse to use to promote eye contact between the mother and newborn?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which is the best intervention for the...

Question 14

It is time for a newborn to have blood collected for the newborn screening.How does the nurse turn this into a bonding opportunity for the mother?

Accepted Answer

By performing the test in the mother's room, the nurse can involve the mother in the process and encourage her to comfort the newborn afterward. This can help create a bonding opportunity between the mother and child.

Question 15

A breastfeeding mother says,"One good thing about breastfeeding is that I won't have to worry about getting pregnant till I stop." Which information will the nurse provide to this patient?

Accepted Answer

While breastfeeding can delay ovulation and menstruation, it is not a guarantee and varies from person to person. Additionally, it is still possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding, especially if the baby is not exclusively breastfed and if the mother is not practicing other forms of birth control.

Question 16

The nurse is caring for a woman who delivered her third child 2 days ago and who says,"I am having pain; it feels like labor pain.I never experienced this with my other children,and it is worse when I breastfeed." Which is the nurse's priority response?

Accepted Answer

Afterpains are common and can be more intense in subsequent pregnancies. They occur as the uterus contracts to return to its pre-pregnancy size, often intensified during breastfeeding due to the release of oxytocin. The nurse's priority is to explain this normal process and reassure the patient.

Question 17

When does the nurse expect to be unable to palpate the uterus in a postpartum patient?

Accepted Answer

The uterus should be palpable at or just below the level of the umbilicus for the first few days after delivery. After that, it should gradually decrease in size and will no longer be palpable after two weeks.

Question 18

The nurse examines a woman's lochia and notices excessive bleeding.Which is the nurse's priority action?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse examines a woman's lochia and...

Quiz 13: Physiological and Behavioral Adaptations During the Postpartum Period