Chapter 17:After Delivery Flashcards
Exam 2
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #1:
How long after birth does pregnancy changes reverse?
Most pregnancy changes reverse within 6 weeks after the birth.
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #1:
Involution
Involution is the shrinking of the uterus,
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #1:
Involution: When does it begin?
Involution is the shrinking of the uterus, which begins immediately after the birth.
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #1:
Involution: By what time should uterus return to prepregnancy size?
By 6 weeks, the uterus should be returned to prepregnant size.
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #1:
What is a defense against postpartum hemorrhage?
Uterine contraction after birth is a defense against postpartum hemorrhage.
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #1:
What is administered after birth?
Oxytocin (Pitocin) may be administered after birth to promote uterine contraction and prevent hemorrhage.
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #1:
Why is oxytocin administered after birth?
Oxytocin (Pitocin) may be administered after birth to promote uterine contraction and prevent hemorrhage.
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #1:
What may contribute to the uterus not contracted as expected?
Bladder distention may contribute to the uterus not contracting as expected.
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #1:
How does placenta site heal? What does this allow for?
Placenta site heals by sloughing of the decidua and not by forming scar tissue. This allows for future pregnancies.
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #1:
What is lochia?
Lochia is the vaginal discharge after birth.
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #2:
What are the three types of Lochia?
Lochia rubia
Lochia serosa
Lochia alba
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #2:
Lochia rubra: What is the appearance?
Dark red
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #2:
Lochia serosa: What is the appearance?
Lighter red, pink or brown
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #2:
Lochia alba: What is the appearance?
Yellow or white
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #2:
Lochia rubra: What is the composition?
Blood
Decidua
Other pregnancy debris
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #2:
Lochia rubra: What is the duration?
3-4 days
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #2:
Lochia serosa: What is the appearance?
Lighter red, pink or brown
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #2:
Lochia rubra: What are abnormalities that can be present?
Foul odor (suggests infection)
Saturation of pad in 15 min or less
Tissue
Clots larger than plums
Duration more than 4 days
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #2:
Lochia serosa: What is the composition?
Debris,
old blood
White blood cells
serum
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #2:
Lochia serosa: What is the duration?
10-14 days
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #2:
Lochia serosa: What are abrnomalities?
Saturation of pad in 15 minutes or less
Foul odor (suggests infection)
Bright red blood for more than 1-2 hours
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #2:
Lochia alba: What is the appearance?
Yellow or white
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #2:
Lochia alba: What is the composition?
White blood cells
serum
mucus
bacteria
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #2:
Lochia alba: What is the duration?
2-4 weeks
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #2:
Lochia alba: What are abnormalities?
Foul odor (suggests infection)
Bright red blood for more than 1-2 hours
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #3:
What is the typical blood loss during a vaginal birth?
Blood loss during a vaginal birth is typically between 200 to 500 mL
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #3:
What is the typical blood loss during a cesarean birth?
500 to 1,000 mL during a cesarean birth.
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #3:
When does excess blood volume resolve after birth? How?
Excess blood volume resolves over the first few days after birth through blood loss, diuresis, and diaphoresis.
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #3:
What happens to wbc count during and after labor?
White blood cells elevate during labor and immediate postpartum even without infection.
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #3:
What should the nurse ensure? What should the nurse monitor and assess signs for?
Nurses should ensure patients are hydrated, monitor for temperature greater than 38˚C (100.4˚F), and assess for signs of infection.
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #3:
What is there an increased risk for during the postpartum period? Why?
There is an increased risk of DVT or PE during the postpartum period due to increased clotting ability and immobility.
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #3:
What should the nurse do to decrease risk of PE?
Nurses should encourage early and frequent ambulation to decrease risk of PE.
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #3:
What circumstances is Rho (D) Immune globulin administered? When?
If a patient is Rh negative and the infant is Rh positive, Rho(D) immune globulin should be administered within 72 hours.
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #4:
What happens to hormones after detachment of placenta?
Hormones of pregnancy drop quickly after the detachment of the placenta.
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #4
When do estrogen levels return to prepregnancy levels?
Estrogen levels return to prepregnancy level within 2 weeks in patients who are not breastfeeding.
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #4:
Maternal adaptation phases after childbirth include:
- The taking-in phase
- The taking-hold phase
- The letting-go phase
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #4:
Maternal adaptation phases after childbirth include: 1. The taking-in phase
The taking-in phase, where the patient recovers and takes a passive, dependent role.
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #4:
Maternal adaptation phases after childbirth include: 2. The taking-hold phase
The taking-hold phase, where the patient processes the birth experience and transitions to independent behavior.
Postpartum Physiological Changes and Care #4:
Maternal adaptation phases after childbirth include: 3. The letting-go phase
The letting-go phase, where the patient acknowledges the new normal and sees the baby as a person instead of an idea.
Physiologic changes of the Cervix, Vagina, and Pelvic Muscles:
What happens by 2-3 days postpartum?
By 2-3 days postpartum, the opening of the cervix (os) has contracted from 10cm to 2-3cm and within a week, to 1 cm.