Chapter 16: Caring for the Woman Experiencing Complications During the Postpartal Period

Chapter 16: Caring for the Woman Experiencing Complications During the Postpartal Period

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. The perinatal nurse is aware that a key factor contributing to suboptimal outcomes for pregnant women and their families is which of the following?

A.	Decreased knowledge regarding signs and symptoms of complications
B.	Delayed communication between health-care provider call groups
C.	Lack of family and other social support during pregnancy
D.	Suboptimal nursing resources to provide care during labor and birth

 

 

ANS:  B

Because perinatal care focuses on wellness, health promotion maintenance, and education for healthy women in multiple settings across the childbearing cycle, the danger of minimizing or misinterpreting pathological signs and symptoms is ever present. Delayed or absent communication between care provider call groups, combined with this wellness focus, can lead to suboptimal outcomes for women and their families.

 

Cognitive Level: Knowledge/Remembering

Content Area: Pediatrics/Maternity

Patient Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance

Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Assessment

Difficulty: Easy

 

PTS:   1

 

2. The perinatal nurse accurately defines postpartum hemorrhage to a group of nursing students by including a decrease in hematocrit levels from prebirth to postbirth by which percentage?

A.	5%
B.	8%
C.	10%
D.	15%

 

 

ANS:  C

Postpartum hemorrhage can be defined as a blood loss of greater than 500 mL after a vaginal birth or greater than 1,000 mL after a cesarean birth, a decrease in hematocrit levels by 10% from prebirth to postbirth levels, and the need for transfusion.

 

Cognitive Level: Comprehension/Understanding

Content Area: Pediatrics/Maternity

Patient Needs: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential

Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning

Difficulty: Easy

 

PTS:   1

 

3. The perinatal nurse recognizes that which common organism is responsible for postpartum infection manifesting with scant, odorless lochia?

A.	Beta-hemolytic streptococcus
B.	Chlamydia trachomatis
C.	Escherichia coli
D.	Treponema pallidum

 

 

ANS:  A

Endometrial infections caused by beta-hemolytic streptococcus are characterized by scant, odorless lochia.

 

Cognitive Level: Knowledge/Remembering

Content Area: Pediatrics/Maternity

Patient Needs: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation

Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Assessment

Difficulty: Easy

 

PTS:   1

 

4. The perinatal nurse teaches the postpartum woman about warning signs regarding the development of postpartum infection. The nurse teaches that fever and which of the following symptoms need to be assessed by a health-care provider?

A.	Breast engorgement
B.	Diarrhea
C.	Emotional lability
D.	Uterine tenderness

 

 

ANS:  D

During the immediate postpartum period, the most common site of infection is the uterine endometrium. This infection presents with a temperature elevation over 101°F (38.4°C), often within the first 24 to 48 hours after childbirth, followed by uterine tenderness and foul-smelling lochia.

 

Cognitive Level: Comprehension/Understanding

Content Area: Pediatrics/Maternity

Patient Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance

Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning

Difficulty: Easy

 

PTS:   1

 

5. The perinatal nurse administers heparin as ordered to the postpartum woman with newly diagnosed deep vein thrombosis. The patient asks about the purpose of the medication. Which response by the nurse is best?

A.	Assists with breakdown of the thromboses
B.	Decreases clotting time and circulatory clotting factors
C.	Prevents extension of the clot and new clot formation
D.	Prevents the formation of any new clots only

 

 

ANS:  C

The primary purpose of heparin therapy is to prevent extension of the current clot and to prevent new clot formation. The other answers are not correct.

 

Cognitive Level: Comprehension/Understanding

Content Area: Pediatrics/Maternity

Patient Needs: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning

Difficulty: Moderate

 

PTS:   1