Two days after delivery, a postpartum client prepares for discharge. What should the nurse
teach her about lochia flow?
Incorrect: Lochia does change
... [Show More] color but goes from lochia rubra (bright red) on days 1-3, to lochia
serosa (pinkish brown) on days 4-9, to lochia alba (creamy white) days 10-21.
Incorrect: Numerous clots are abnormal and should be reported to the physician.
Incorrect: Saturation of the perineal pad is considered abnormal and may indicate postpartum
hemorrhage.
Correct: Lochia normally lasts for about 21 days, and changes from a bright red, to pinkish
brown, to creamy white.
The color of the lochia changes from a bright red to white after four days
Numerous large clots are normal for the next three to four days
Saturation of the perineal pad with blood is expected when getting up from the bed
Lochia should last for about 3 weeks, changing color every few days
2. A nurse monitors fetal well-being by means of an external monitor. At the peak of the
contractions, the fetal heart rate has repeatedly dropped 30 beats/min below the baseline. Late
decelerations are suspected and the nurse notifies the physician. Which is the rationale for this
action?
Incorrect: A nuchal cord (cord around the neck) is associated with variable decelerations, not late
decelerations.
Incorrect: Variable decelerations (not late decelerations) are associated with cord compression.
Incorrect: Late decelerations are a result of hypoxia. They are not reflective of the strength of
maternal contractions.
Correct: Late decelerations are associated with uteroplacental insufficiency and are a sign
of fetal hypoxia. Repeated late decelerations indicate fetal distress.
The umbilical cord is wrapped tightly around the fetus' neck
The fetal cord is being compressed due to rapid descent of the fetal head
Maternal contractions are not adequate enough to deliver the fetus
The fetus is not receiving adequate oxygen and is in distress
3. Which preoperative nursing interventions should be included for a client who is scheduled to
have an emergency cesarean birth?
Incorrect: Monitoring O2 saturations and administering pain medications are postoperative
interventions.
Incorrect: Taking vital signs every 15 minutes is a postoperative intervention. Instructing the
client regarding breathing exercises is not appropriate in a crisis situation when the client's
anxiety is high, because information would probably not be retained. In an emergency, there is
time only for essential interventions.
Correct: Because this is an emergency, surgery must be performed quickly. Anxiety of the
client and the family will be high. Inserting an indwelling catheter helps to keep the
bladder empty and free from injury when the incision is made.
Incorrect: The nurse should have assessed breath sounds upon admission. Breath sounds are
important if the client is to receive general anesthesia, but the anesthesiologist will be listening to
breath sounds in surgery in that case.
Monitor oxygen saturation and administer pain medication.
Assess vital signs every 15 minutes and instruct the client about postoperative care.
Alleviate anxiety and insert an indwelling catheter.
Perform a sterile vaginal examination and assess breath sounds.
4. Which nursing instruction should be given to the breastfeeding mother regarding care of the
breasts after discharge?
Incorrect: Engorgement occurs on about the third or fourth postpartum day and is a result
of the breast milk formation. The primary way to relieve engorgement is by pumping or
longer nursing. Giving a bottle of formula will compound the problem because the baby
will not be hungry and will not empty the breasts well.
Incorrect: Applying lotion to the nipples is not effective for keeping them soft. Excessive
amounts of lotion may harbor microorganisms.
Correct: In order to stimulate adequate milk production, the breasts should be pumped if
the infant is not sucking or eating well, or if the breasts are not fully emptied.
Incorrect: Using soap on the breasts dries the nipples and can cause cracking.
The baby should be given a bottle of formula if engorgement occurs.
The nipples should be covered with lotion when the baby is not nursing.
The breasts should be pumped if the baby is not sucking adequately.
The breasts should be washed with soap and water once per day.
5. A client in preterm labor is admitted to the hospital. Which classification of drugs should the
nurse anticipate administering?
Correct: Tocolytics are used to stop labor. One of the most commonly used tocolytic drugs
is ritodrine (Yutopar).
Incorrect: Anticonvulsants are used for clients with pregnancy-induced hypertension who are
likely to seize.
Incorrect: The glucocorticoids (e.g., betamethasone and dexamethasone) are used for
accelerating fetal lung maturation and production of surfactant. They are commonly used if the
membranes are ruptured or labor cannot be stopped.
Incorrect: Anti-infective are used if there is infection. Preterm labor may or may not involve
ruptured membranes with its accompanying risk of infection.
Tocolytics
Anticonvulsants
Glucocorticoids
Anti-infective
6. Which of the following are probable signs, strongly indicating pregnancy?
Incorrect: The presence of fetal heart sounds is a positive sign of pregnancy; quickening is a
presumptive Sign of pregnancy.
Incorrect: These are presumptive signs. They may indicate pregnancy or they may be caused by
other conditions, such as disease processes.
Correct: These are probable signs that strongly indicate pregnancy. Hegar’s sign is a
softening of the lower uterine segment, and Chadwick's sign is the bluish or purplish color
of the cervix as a result of the increased blood supply and increased estrogen. Ballottement
occurs when the cervix is tapped by an examiner's finger and the fetus floats upward in the
amniotic fluid and then falls downward.
Incorrect: These are presumptive signs that might indicate pregnancy, but they might be caused
by other conditions, such as disease processes.
Presence of fetal heart sounds and quickening
Missed menstrual periods, nausea, and vomiting
Hegar's sign, Chadwick's sign, and ballottement
Increased urination and tenderness of the breasts
7. Two hours after delivery the nurse assesses the client and documents that the fundus is soft,
boggy, above the level of the umbilicus, and displaced to the right side. The nurse encourages the
client to void. Which is the rationale for this nursing action?
Correct: Bladder distention can lead to postpartum hemorrhage. A full bladder displaces
the uterus causing it not to contract properly. Emptying the bladder allows the uterus to
contract more firmly.
Incorrect: A distended bladder rises out of the abdomen, causing the uterus to be displaced and
increasing the risk of hemorrhage. It does not affect the perineum.
Incorrect: Bladder distention can lead to urinary stasis and infection. This, however, does not
relate to the soft, boggy uterus or the potential for hemorrhage.
Incorrect: Massaging is uncomfortable regardless of whether the bladder is full or not. A full
bladder displaces the uterus causing it not to contract properly, which may lead to postpartum
hemorrhage.
A full bladder prevents normal contractions of the uterus.
An overdistended bladder may press against the episiotomy causing dehiscence.
Distention of the bladder can cause urinary stasis and infection.
It makes the client more comfortable when the fundus is massaged.
8. Which site is preferred for giving an IM injection to a newborn?
Incorrect: Ventrogluteal muscles are located in the hip area. It is not the preferred site for
injections in the newborn because of lack of muscle mass.
Correct: The middle third of the vastus lateralis is the preferred site for injections.
Incorrect: Ventrogluteal muscles are located in the hip area. It is not the preferred site for
injections in the newborn because of lack of muscle mass.
Incorrect: Newborns do not receive injections in the dorsogluteal site (gluteus maximus) due to
decreased muscle mass.
Ventrogluteal
Vastus lateralis
Rectus femoris
Dorsogluteal
9. During the first twelve hours following a normal vaginal delivery, the client voids 2,000 mL of
urine. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
Incorrect: Urinary tract infections are common during pregnancy and in the postpartum period.
Urinary frequency is a common finding. However, voiding large amounts of urine is not a sign of
a UTI.
Incorrect: High output renal failure occurs with injury/trauma to the kidneys. There has been no
damage to the kidneys. Incorrect: Most women do receive some IV fluids during labor and
delivery, however the IV rates are carefully calculated according to weight.
Correct: During pregnancy, the circulating blood volume increases by about 50%. In order
to get rid of the excess fluid volume after delivery, the woman experiences an increased
amount of urine output during the first few hours.
Urinary tract infection
High output renal failure
Excessive use of IV fluids during delivery
Normal diuresis after delivery
10. If a pregnant client diagnosed with gestational diabetes cannot maintain control of her blood
sugar by diet alone, which medication will she receive?
Incorrect: Glucophage is an oral hypoglycemic. Oral hypoglycemic cross the placenta and can
cause damage to the fetus. They are not used in gestational diabetes for that reason.
Incorrect: Glucagon is a hormone used to raise blood sugar and manage severe hypoglycemia.
Clients with gestational diabetes have hyperglycemia.
Correct: Insulin is the drug of choice for gestational diabetes. Insulin lowers the client's
blood sugar without harming the fetus.
Incorrect: DiaBeta is an oral hypoglycemic drug. Oral hypoglycemic agents cross the placenta
and can cause damage to the fetus. They are not used for gestational diabetes for that reason.
Metformin (Glucophage)
Glucagon
Insulin
Glyburide (DiaBeta)
11. Which assessment finding indicates that placental separation has occurred during the third
stage of labor?
Incorrect: There is usually an increase in bleeding (a sudden gush of blood) when the placenta
separates.
Incorrect: Contractions continue in an attempt to expel the placenta. The contractions may not
be as intense, but they do not stop. Also, fundal massage helps contract the uterus preventing
postpartum bleeding.
Incorrect: Shaking and chills occur about 10-15 minutes after the delivery of the baby, but are
not related to the placental detachment. They are a result of the release of pressure on pelvic
nerves and the release of epinephrine during labor.
Correct: As the placenta detaches, the cord that has been clamped becomes longer as it
slides out of the vagina.
Decreased vaginal bleeding
Contractions stop
Maternal shaking and chills
Lengthening of the umbilical cord
12. The nurse midwife is concerned about a pregnant client who is suspected of having a
TORCH infection. Which is the main reason TORCH infections are grouped together? They are:
Incorrect: Most TORCH infections can cause mild flu-like symptoms for the mother. Death may
or may not occur in the fetus.
Incorrect: TORCH is an abbreviation for Toxoplasmosis, Other (syphilis, HIV and Hepatitis B),
Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, and Herpes simplex—not all of these are sexually transmitted.
Correct: All TORCH infections have the capability of infecting the fetus or causing serious
effects to the newborn.
Incorrect: A vector is a carrier of the disease such as a mosquito. Not all of the TORCH
infections are carried by vector.
benign to the woman but cause death to the fetus.
sexually transmitted.
capable of infecting the fetus.
transmitted to the pregnant woman by a vector.
13. During the postpartum period, a hospitalized client complains of discomfort related to her
episiotomy. The nurse assigns the diagnosis of “pain related to perineal sutures.” Which nursing
intervention is most appropriate during the first 24 hours following an episiotomy?
Incorrect: Petroleum jelly will harbor bacteria, which may hinder healing.
Incorrect: The client should practice Kegel exercises to increase bladder tone, but these exercises
would add to the client's discomfort during the first 24hours.Incorrect: Taking a warm sitz bath is
recommended after the first 24 hours.
Correct: Ice packs will decrease edema and discomfort, and prevent formation of a
hematoma.
Instruct the client to use petroleum jelly on the episiotomy after voiding.
Encourage the client to practice Kegel exercises.
Advise the client to take a warm sitz bath every four hours.
Apply ice packs to the perineum.
14. A client asks the nurse about the benefits of breastfeeding. Which response by the nurse
provides the most accurate information?
Incorrect: Breastfeeding does not help speed up weight loss. The lactating mother requires more
calories, but usually has an increased appetite to accommodate that need.
Incorrect: Protein amounts are greater in formula and cow's milk.
Correct: Breast milk is easier to digest because of the type of fat and protein in the milk.
Incorrect: Breastfeeding does not prevent to woman from getting pregnant because it does not
prevent ovulation. Most women ovulate within the first 6 weeks after delivery.
Breastfeeding helps women lose weight faster.
Breast milk contains a greater amount of protein.
Breast milk is easier to digest than formula.
Breastfeeding is a good method of contraception.
15. Which physiological change takes place during the puerperium?
Incorrect: The puerperium is the first 6 weeks after delivery. The client will experience lochia for
the first few weeks, and hormone levels will stabilize. Menstruation cannot occur until ovulation
occurs.
Incorrect: This occurs in stage three of labor.
Correct: The uterine changes are called involution. The uterus should return to its prepregnancy state within 6 weeks after delivery.
Incorrect: This describes the labor process, not the puerperium.
The endometrium begins to undergo alterations necessary for menstruation.
The placenta begins to separate from the uterine wall.
The uterus returns to a pre-pregnant size and location.
The uterus contracts at regular intervals with dilation of the cervix occurring.
16. A client delivered two days ago and is suspected of having postpartum "blues." Which
symptoms confirm the diagnosis?
Correct: These are signs of the postpartum blues, which typically diminishes within threefour days after delivery. Postpartum blues, a transient period of tearfulness, is a result of
hormonal shifts. Other symptoms of the blues include: sadness, anxiety about the health of
the baby, insomnia, anorexia, anger, feelings of anticlimax.
Incorrect: Postpartum blues, a transient period of tearfulness, is a result of hormonal shifts.
Depression and suicidal thoughts are signs of postpartum depression, not the blues and should be
followed up with psychiatric treatment.
Incorrect: Excess anxiety and the inability to care for the family are signs of postpartum
depression, not the blues. Postpartum blues, a transient period of tearfulness, is a result of
hormonal shifts.
Incorrect: Nausea and vomiting are psychosomatic symptoms of postpartum depression and
require psychiatric treatment. Postpartum blues, a transient period of tearfulness, is a result of
hormonal shifts.
Uncontrollable crying and insecurity
Depression and suicidal thoughts
Sense of the inability to care for the family and extreme anxiety
Nausea and vomiting [Show Less]