Postpartum Care Quiz: Essential Knowledge Check

Study Notes

Umbilical Cord Care

Observe the cord for infection and bleeding, and keep it dry until it falls off naturally.

Bonding and Attachment

Promote contact between parents and newborn to facilitate bonding and attachment.

Breastfeeding

The more breast milk removed, the more milk produced.
Early, regular, and frequent nursing promotes milk production and lessens engorgement.
The duration of nursing on the first breast should be at least 15 minutes to stimulate milk production.
A nursing mother needs 500 extra calories each day, plus enough fluid to replace liquid lost via breastfeeding (about 1 L).

Weaning

Weaning from the breast should be gradual, starting with the feeding the infant is least interested in and ending with the one in which they have the most interest.

Formula Feeding

Commercially prepared formulas are available in ready-to-feed, concentrated liquid, or powdered form.
Dilution, if required, must be followed exactly according to instructions.

Discharge Planning

Discharge planning should take place with every instance of mother or newborn nursing care.
The nurse should teach the mother normal findings, their significance, and what to report.
Written materials should be provided to augment all teaching.

Postpartum Care

Consider each patient individually to incorporate their culture and special needs into the plan of care.
The uterus should descend about 1 finger's width per day after birth and should no longer be palpable at 10 days postpartum.
A slow pulse is common in the early postpartum period.
A maternal pulse rate that would be high normal at other times may indicate hemorrhage or infection in the postpartum patient.
A full bladder interferes with uterine contraction, which can lead to hemorrhage.
Measures to prevent constipation should be emphasized at each assessment: fluid intake, a high-fiber diet, and activity.

RhoGAM and Blood Type

RhoGAM is given within 72 hours to the Rh-negative mother who delivers an Rh-positive newborn.

Postpartum Check

The postpartum check should include the status of the fundus, lochia, breasts, perineum, bowel and bladder elimination, vital signs, Homans' sign, pain, and evidence of parent-newborn attachment.

Neonatal Screening Tests

Neonatal screening tests, such as the phenylketonuria (PKU) test, identify disorders that can be treated to reduce or prevent disability.

Delayed Cord Clamping

Delayed cord clamping of 30 to 60 seconds improves newborn outcomes.

Newborn Security

The nurse must always keep the possibility of newborn abductions in mind when providing care.
The facility's specific protocol for security should be maintained during care.

Description

Test your knowledge on important considerations and assessments in postpartum care, including uterine involution, pulse rate, and bladder management. Learn about monitoring maternal health in the early postpartum period.