Postpartum Maternal Assessment
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Postpartum Maternal Assessment

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Questions and Answers

Twelve hours following the delivery of a baby, the mother is assessed by the nurse. As the nurse palpates the level of the fundus of the uterus, it should be:

  • Slightly boggy and 1 cm below the umbilicus
  • Firm and at the umbilicus (correct)
  • Halfway between the umbilicus and the symphysis pubis
  • Firm and 2 cm below the umbilicus
  • The vaginal discharge following delivery is called lochia. It changes color over time and has different names. The initial discharge is charted by the nurse as lochia:

  • Serosa
  • Alba
  • Palatine
  • Rubra (correct)
  • Following delivery, the return of the menstrual cycle, which is anovulatory, depends on the return of estrogen to normal levels, which may take from:

  • 4 weeks to 4 months
  • 8 weeks to 8 months
  • 3 weeks to 3 months
  • 6 weeks to 6 months (correct)
  • The first secretion produced by the breast is called:

    <p>Colostrum</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The prepregnancy weight is usually achieved without dieting within:

    <p>6 to 8 weeks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When explaining engorgement to the mother, the nurse states that it:

    <p>Is first observed in the axillary region</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Engorgement is most likely to occur when the:

    <p>Breast tissue becomes congested</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When describing colostrum to the new mother, the nurse states that it is:

    <p>Slightly yellow and provides antibodies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    To suppress the milk supply, the nurse recommends that the mother:

    <p>Apply a firm bra and ice packs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During the immediate postpartum period, the mother has a temperature of 100.2° F, pulse 52, respirations 18, BP 138/84. What should the nurse do?

    <p>Report that vital signs are normal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The recommended nutritional requirements during breastfeeding include:

    <p>A well-balanced diet with 500 additional calories</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Within the first hour following a vaginal delivery, the nurse assesses the mother and finds the fundus is firm and there is a trickle of bright red blood. The nurse recognizes that:

    <p>This is a normal occurrence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The proper way to assess the fundus of a mother who has just given birth is by using:

    <p>One hand on the lower uterine segment while the other hand locates the fundus of the uterus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The new mother is 1 day postpartum and asks about bathing. The nurse provides her with information and recognizes the responsibility to:

    <p>Let the patient shower and check on her frequently</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The postpartum mother tells the nurse she is afraid to have a bowel movement because of her painful episiotomy. What should the nurse do?

    <p>Offer stool softeners as prescribed</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The new mother had spinal anesthesia during a cesarean delivery. She now has a desire to void and can wiggle her toes. If she wants to go to the bathroom, the nurse should:

    <p>Put slippers on her feet</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A mother delivered her baby at midnight and it is now 0900. She wants to sleep and asks the nurse to take care of the baby. The nurse recognizes this is an example of:

    <p>Normal 'taking in' response</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The finding the nurse would assess as normal of a 1 day postpartum patient is:

    <p>Complaining of 'after pains'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A new Native-American mother tells the nurse that when she goes home, her mother-in-law will be caring for the baby while she rests. The nurse is concerned, and her response should be to:

    <p>Explore ways to blend this with safe health teaching</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Before initially feeding an infant, the nurse must assess for the presence of the:

    <p>Swallow reflex</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Following delivery of the newborn, the nurse ensures the newborn is immediately:

    <p>Warmed</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The nurse is performing an Apgar score on a newborn. Cyanosis, which is considered normal, is expected to be found on the:

    <p>Feet</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The newborn is jaundiced within the first 24 hours, with jaundice over bony prominences of the face and the mucous membrane. The nurse recognizes that this is:

    <p>Abnormal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The newborn is covered with a cream cheese-like substance, which protects the infant's skin from the amniotic fluid. This substance is called:

    <p>Vernix caseosa</p> Signup and view all the answers

    To detect inborn errors of metabolism, state law requires that certain diagnostic tests be performed on the newborn, such as:

    <p>Phenylketonuria (PKU)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When assessing the newborn, the nurse identifies a finding that suggests a chromosomal disorder, which is:

    <p>Low-set ears</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Vitamin K by injection is given to the newborn at risk for hemorrhage because:

    <p>Bacteria that synthesize vitamin K are not present in newborns</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When discussing care of a circumcised infant after discharge from the hospital, the nurse should tell the mother to:

    <p>Apply sterile petroleum gauze after each diaper change</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The nurse is caring for a newborn who has just been circumcised. The nurse alters the care plan to include:

    <p>Observation for bleeding for the first 12 hours</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which finding would the nurse suspect as abnormal in the infant during initial assessment?

    <p>Persistent high-pitched cry</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The nurse describes the normal breastfed stool as:

    <p>Pale yellow and frequent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The new mother calls the nurse to her room to show how her baby is 'jerking around' when she changes his position. The nurse explains that this response is the normal:

    <p>Moro reflex</p> Signup and view all the answers

    After delivery of a 9-pound baby, the nurse assesses a perineal laceration extending through the muscles of the perineum. The nurse records this as a _____ degree laceration.

    <p>second</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Newborn and Mother's Health Protection Act of 1996 requires that all health program plans allow a postdelivery hospital stay of at least _____ hours.

    <p>48</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The nurse describes the return of the postpartum patient's uterus to a pregravid state as:

    <p>involution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Vernix caseosa can be left on the newborn for _____ hours.

    <p>48</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The desired outcome for the hard, dried umbilical stump is called:

    <p>mummification</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Maternal Assessment Post-Delivery

    • Within 12 hours after delivery, the uterine fundus should be firm and at the level of the umbilicus.
    • The initial vaginal discharge following childbirth is known as lochia rubra, characterized by a bright red color.
    • The first menstrual cycle postpartum can occur between 6 weeks to 6 months and is typically anovulatory.

    Breastfeeding and Lactation

    • The first secretion produced by the breasts post-delivery is colostrum, which is nutrient-rich and slightly yellow in color.
    • Mothers can expect to reach their prepregnancy weight within 6 to 8 weeks without dieting.
    • Engorgement occurs as a result of venous and lymphatic congestion, typically beginning in the axillary region.

    New Mother's Care

    • To suppress milk supply in mothers who choose not to breastfeed, a firm bra and ice packs are recommended.
    • Normal postpartum vital signs for a nursing mother include mild fever and bradycardia, especially during the first few days.
    • A well-balanced diet supplemented with an additional 500 calories is advised for breastfeeding mothers.

    Postpartum Nursing Practices

    • Monitoring bright red drainage after delivery is normal, as it indicates lochia rubra.
    • Proper assessment of the fundus involves placing one hand on the lower uterine segment while the other hand locates the fundus.
    • New mothers should be encouraged to shower with safety measures in place after delivery.

    Infant Assessment and Care

    • The newborn's body temperature is a primary concern immediately following delivery.
    • Given that newborns cannot synthesize vitamin K, an injection is often administered to prevent hemorrhage.
    • Signs of jaundice within the first 24 hours should be reported, as it may indicate abnormal conditions.

    Cultural Considerations in Care

    • It's important for nurses to respect cultural practices while also ensuring safe health teaching, such as maternal-infant bonding.

    Neonatal Reflex and Feeding

    • The swallowing reflex must be assessed before feeding an infant.
    • The Moro reflex, observed during the startle response, is normal in newborns and includes abduction of limbs.
    • Breastfed infants typically present with yellow, pasty stools, and stool frequency is commonly higher.

    Care of Circumcised Infants

    • After circumcision, proper care includes applying sterile petroleum gauze after each diaper change to prevent exposure to infection.
    • Newborns should be monitored for bleeding during the first 12 hours following a circumcision procedure.

    Maternal Recovery and Education

    • After delivery, a second-degree perineal laceration indicates a significant tear involving muscle tissue.
    • The Newborn and Mother's Health Protection Act mandates a minimum hospital stay of 48 hours post-delivery for mothers.
    • Involution refers to the process where the uterus reduces back to its prepregnant size.

    Miscellaneous Findings

    • Low-set ears in a newborn could indicate a chromosomal disorder, warranting further investigation.
    • Physical signs such as a high-pitched cry in infants may be indicative of neurological concerns.

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    Description

    Test your knowledge on postpartum maternal care, including the assessment of the uterine fundus, lochia discharge, and breastfeeding essentials. This quiz covers key topics such as recovery after delivery and appropriate care for new mothers.

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