Ch 25 Postpartum complication book key points

Question 1

Hemorrhage

Answer 1

defined as a loss of blood greater than 500 ml within a 24-hour period.

Hemorrhage is a major potential danger in the immediate postpartal period.

Question 2

The most frequent causes of postpartal hemorrhage are (2).

Answer 2

uterine atony or a retained placental fragment.

Continuous limited blood loss can be as important as sudden, intense bleeding.

Question 3

Administration of ___ may be necessary to initiate uterine tone and halt the bleeding.

Answer 3

oxytocin or uterotonics

Question 4

Other causes of hemorrhage include (2).

Answer 4

lacerations (vaginal, cervical, or perineal) and DIC.

Lacerations are most apt to occur with an instrument birth or with the birth of a large infant.

Question 5

potential sources of infection

Answer 5

Retained placental fragments and the use of internal fetal monitoring leads

Question 6

Thrombophlebitis, an inflammation of the lining of a blood vessel, occurs most often as an extension of an endometrial infection. Therapy includes ___.

Answer 6

bed rest with moist heat applications and anticoagulant therapy.

Never massage the leg of a woman with thrombophlebitis. Doing so can cause the clot to move and become a pulmonary embolus, which is a possibly fatal complication.

Question 7

Mastitis

Answer 7

infection of the breast

The symptoms include pain, swelling, and redness.
Antibiotic therapy is necessary to promote healing.

Question 8

Postpartal “blues” are a normal accompaniment to birth. (2) are not normal and need accurate assessment so a woman can receive adequate therapy for these conditions.

Answer 8

Postpartal depression (a feeling of extreme sadness) and postpartal psychosis (an actual separation from reality)