Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A woman had a vaginal delivery two days ago and is preparing for discharge. To help prevent postpartum complications, the nurse plans to teach the woman to report any:
A. Change in lochia from red to white
This is not correct because the change in lochia from red to white is not a sign of postpartum complication. Lochia is the vaginal discharge that occurs after childbirth. It changes color and amount over time, from red to pink to brown to yellow to white. This is a normal process of healing and does not indicate a problem unless the lochia is foul-smelling, heavy, or contains large clots.
B. Fatigue and irritability
This is not correct because fatigue and irritability are not signs of postpartum complications. Fatigue and irritability are common feelings after childbirth due to hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, physical recovery, and emotional adjustment. They do not necessarily indicate a problem unless they are severe or persistent and interfere with daily functioning or bonding with the baby.
C. Fever
This is because fever is a sign of infection, which is a common and potentially serious postpartum complication. Infection can affect various parts of the body, such as the uterus (endometritis), the bladder (cystitis), the breast (mastitis), the wound (wound infection), or the blood (sepsis). Infection can cause symptoms such as fever, chills, pain, foul-smelling discharge, redness, swelling, or warmth at the site of infection.
D. Contractions
This is not correct because contractions are not signs of postpartum complication. Contractions are normal after childbirth and help the uterus shrink back to its pre-pregnancy size. They are usually mild and subside within a few days. They may be more intense during breastfeeding due to the release of oxytocin, which stimulates uterine contractions.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Postpartum AMD Newborn Care Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Fever. This is because fever is a sign of infection, which is a common and potentially serious postpartum complication. Infection can affect various parts of the body, such as the uterus (endometritis), the bladder (cystitis), the breast (mastitis), the wound (wound infection), or the blood (sepsis). Infection can cause symptoms such as fever, chills, pain, foul-smelling discharge, redness, swelling, or warmth at the site of infection.
Choice A is not correct because the change in lochia from red to white is not a sign of postpartum complication. Lochia is the vaginal discharge that occurs after childbirth. It changes color and amount over time, from red to pink to brown to yellow to white. This is a normal process of healing and does not indicate a problem unless the lochia is foul-smelling, heavy, or contains large clots³.
Choice B is not correct because fatigue and irritability are not signs of postpartum complications. Fatigue and irritability are common feelings after childbirth due to hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, physical recovery, and emotional adjustment. They do not necessarily indicate a problem unless they are severe or persistent and interfere with daily functioning or bonding with the baby.
Choice D is not correct because contractions are not signs of postpartum complication. Contractions are normal after childbirth and help the uterus shrink back to its pre-pregnancy size. They are usually mild and subside within a few days. They may be more intense during breastfeeding due to the release of oxytocin, which stimulates uterine contractions.
Similar Questions
Following delivery, the nurse's assessment reveals a soft, boggy uterus located above the level of the umbilicus. The appropriate intervention is:
A. Massage the fundus
This is because massaging the fundus (the upper part of the uterus) can help the uterus contract and prevent excessive bleeding after delivery. A soft, boggy uterus indicates uterine atony, which is a failure of the uterus to contract sufficiently after childbirth. Uterine atony is the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
B. Initiate measures that encourage voiding
This is not correct because initiating measures that encourage voiding is not the appropriate intervention for a soft, boggy uterus. A full bladder can interfere with uterine contractions and cause bleeding, so it is important to empty the bladder after delivery. However, this should be done after massaging the fundus.
C. Position the patient flat
This is not correct because positioning the patient flat is not the appropriate intervention for a soft, boggy uterus. Positioning the patient flat can increase blood loss and reduce venous return. The patient should be positioned with the head slightly elevated and the legs flexed to improve blood circulation and prevent shock.
D. Notify the doctor
This is not correct because notifying the doctor is not the first intervention for a soft, boggy uterus. Notifying the doctor is important if bleeding persists or worsens despite massaging the fundus. The doctor may order medications or other treatments to stop the bleeding and prevent complications.
Full Explanation
Massage the fundus. This is because massaging the fundus (the upper part of the uterus) can help the uterus contract and prevent excessive bleeding after delivery. A soft, boggy uterus indicates uterine atony, which is a failure of the uterus to contract sufficiently after childbirth.
Uterine atony is the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly¹².
Choice B is not correct because initiating measures that encourage voiding is not the appropriate intervention for a soft, boggy uterus. A full bladder can interfere with uterine contractions and cause bleeding, so it is important to empty the bladder after delivery. However, this should be done after massaging the fundus.
Choice C is not correct because positioning the patient flat is not the appropriate intervention for a soft, boggy uterus. Positioning the patient flat can increase blood loss and reduce venous return. The patient should be positioned with the head slightly elevated and the legs flexed to improve blood circulation and prevent shock³.
Choice D is not correct because notifying the doctor is not the first intervention for a soft, boggy uterus. Notifying the doctor is important if bleeding persists or worsens despite massaging the fundus. The doctor may order medications or other treatments to stop the bleeding and prevent complications¹.
A nurse is collecting data from a client who delivered 2 hours ago. The client has moderate lochia rubra, temperature within normal limits, breasts soft, fundus firm, slightly deviated to the right, pulse rate 88/min, respiratory rate 18/min.
Which of the following actions should the nurse perform?
A. Encourage the client to nurse more frequently so her milk will come in
This is not correct because the client's milk will come in regardless of nursing frequency.
B. Report the client's temperature elevation
This is not correct because the client's temperature is within normal limits. Choice D is not correct because there is no indication of an increase in IV fluids.
C. Ask the client to empty her bladder
A full bladder can cause the uterus to be displaced and lead to excessive bleeding. The moderate lochia rubra, normal temperature, soft breasts, firm fundus, slightly deviated to the right, pulse rate of 88/min, and respiratory rate of 18/min are all normal findings.
D. Increase IV fluids
This is not correct because there is no indication of an increase in IV fluids.
Full Explanation
ask the client to empty her bladder. A full bladder can cause the uterus to be displaced and lead to excessive bleeding. The moderate lochia rubra, normal temperature, soft breasts, firm fundus, slightly deviated to the right, pulse rate of 88/min, and respiratory rate of 18/min are all normal findings.
Choice A is not correct because the client's milk will come in regardless of nursing frequency.
Choice B is not correct because the client's temperature is within normal limits.
Choice D is not correct because there is no indication of an increase in IV fluids.
To protect newborns from infection while in the nursery, the nurse plans to:
A. Adjust room temperature between 75°F and 80°F
This is not correct because adjusting room temperature between 75°F and 80°F is not a measure to protect newborns from infection. The room temperature should be maintained within a comfortable range for newborns, but it does not affect infection risk.
B. Wear a disposable gown when giving infant care
This is not correct because wearing a disposable gown when giving infant care is not a measure to protect newborns from infection. Disposable gowns are part of contact precautions, which are used for patients with known or suspected infections that can be transmitted by direct or indirect contact. They are not necessary for routine infant care.
C. Keep the newborn dressed warmly
This is not correct because keeping the newborn dressed warmly is not a measure to protect newborns from infection. Keeping the newborn dressed warmly can help prevent heat loss and hypothermia, but it does not affect infection risk.
D. Wash hands before touching each baby
This is because hand hygiene is the most effective way to prevent infection transmission in the nursery. Hand hygiene should be performed before and after every patient contact, as well as before and after wearing gloves or handling equipment. Hand hygiene can be done by washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rubs.
Full Explanation
Wash hands before touching each baby. This is because hand hygiene is the most effective way to prevent infection transmission in the nursery. Hand hygiene should be performed before and after every patient contact, as well as before and after wearing gloves or handling equipment. Hand hygiene can be done by washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rubs.
Choice A is not correct because adjusting room temperature between 75°F and 80°F is not a measure to protect newborns from infection. The room temperature should be maintained within a comfortable range for newborns, but it does not affect infection risk.
Choice B is not correct because wearing a disposable gown when giving infant care is not a measure to protect newborns from infection. Disposable gowns are part of contact precautions, which are used for patients with known or suspected infections that can be transmitted by direct or indirect contact. They are not necessary for routine infant care.
Choice C is not correct because keeping the newborn dressed warmly is not a measure to protect newborns from infection. Keeping the newborn dressed warmly can help prevent heat loss and hypothermia, but it does not affect infection risk.