Caring for the postpartal woman and her family

Question 1

Postpartum period begins when?

Answer 1

immediately after childbirth

Question 2

how long does the postpartum period last?

Answer 2

six weeks following childbirth

Question 3

Most important thing to closely monitor following childbirth especially in the first hour:

Answer 3

identifying hemorrhage and related complications

Question 4

normal maternal body temp first 24 hours after birth

Answer 4

98.6-100.4

Question 5

normal maternal respirations in first 24 hours after birth

Answer 5

within normal range: 12-20 breaths per minute

Question 6

normal maternal pulse in 24 hours after birth

Answer 6

should be within normal range (60-100 beats per minute) but might be slightly bradycardic for 6-10 days

Question 7

what does maternal tachycardia within 24 hours after birth signify

Answer 7

hemorrhage or infection

Question 8

what should mom’s BP be within 24 hours after birth

Answer 8

back to baseline BP during the first trimester

Question 9

what does low maternal BP signify within 24 hours after birth

Answer 9

hemorrhage (late sign)

Question 10

what does high maternal BP signify within 24 hours after birth

Answer 10

anxiety, preeclampsia, essential HTN, renal disease

Question 11

normal lochia in first 24 hours post birth

Answer 11

lochia rubra consistent with a heavy menstrual flow for the first two hours and then slowly decreases. small clots is normal

Question 12

where should the fundus be palpated immediately after birth

Answer 12

midline halfway between the umbilicus and symphysis pubis

Question 13

where should the fundus be palpated an hour after childbirth

Answer 13

midline at the level of the umbilicus

Question 14

what should the fundus feel like post labor

Answer 14

firmly contracted

Question 15

what does a boggy uterus after labor indicate

Answer 15

risk for hemorrhage or distended bladder

Question 16

the fundus descends ________ per day in size

Answer 16

1 fingerbreadth (1 cm)

Question 17

relaxation of the uterus is known as _____ which results in life threatening blood loss

Answer 17

atony

Question 18

In the first hour after birth the fundus, lochia, and perineum need to be assessed how often

Answer 18

every 15 minutes during the immediate postpartum period

Question 19

how should the nurse assess the perineum

Answer 19

assist the patient into a Sims position and assess from the backside and gently lift the buttock cheeks

Question 20

use the acronym _ _ _ _ _ to assess the perineum:

Answer 20

R: redness
E: edema
E: ecchymosis
D: drainage or discharge
A: approximation of episiotomy if present