Which nursing intervention is most helpful in relieving postpartum uterine contractions or "afterpains?" a. Lying prone with a pillow on the abdomen b. Using a breast pump c. Massaging the abdomen d. Giving oxytocic medications Lying prone (A) keeps the fundus contracted and is especially useful with multiparas, who commonly experience afterpains due to lack of uterine tone. A multigravida client arrives at the labor and delivery unit and tells the nurse that her bag of water has broken. The nurse identifies the presence of meconium fluid on the perineum and determines the fetal heart rate is between 140 to 150 beats/minute. What action should the nurse implement next? a. Complete a sterile vaginal exam b. Take maternal temperature every 2 hours c. Prepare for an immediate cesarean birth d. Obtain sterile suction equipment A vaginal exam (A) should be performed after the rupture of membranes to determine the presence of a prolapsed cord. When explaining "postpartum blues" to a client who is 1 day postpartum, which symptoms should the nurse include in the teaching plan? (Select all that apply.) a. Mood swings b. Panic attacks c. Tearfulness d. Decreased need for sleep e. Disinterest in the infant "Postpartum blues" is a common emotional response related to the rapid decrease in placental hormones after delivery and include mood swings (A), tearfulness (C), feeling low, emotional, and fatigued. HESI Maternity 2 2 A client at 30-weeks gestation, complaining of pressure over the pubic area, is admitted for observation. She is contracting irregularly and demonstrates underlying uterine irritability. Vaginal examination reveals that her cervix is closed, thick, and high. Based on these data, which intervention should the nurse implement first? a. Provide oral hydration b. Have a complete blood count (CBC) drawn c. Obtain a specimen for urine analysis d. Place the client on strict bedrest Obtaining a urine analysis (C) should be done first because preterm clients with uterine irritability and contractions are often suffering from a urinary tract infection, and this should be ruled out first. A client in active labor complains of cramps in her leg. What intervention should the nurse implement? a. Ask the client if she takes a daily calcium tablet b. Extend the leg and dorsiflex the foot c. Lower the leg off the side of the bed d. Elevate the leg above the heart b. Extend the leg and dorsiflex the foot Dorsiflexing the foot by pushing the sole of the foot forward or by standing (if the client is capable) (B) and putting the heel of the foot on the floor is the best means of relieving leg cramps. The nurse is caring for a woman with a previously diagnosed heart disease who is in the second stage of labor. Which assessment findings are of greatest concern? a. edema, basilar rales, and an irregular pulse b. Increased urinary output, and tachycardia c. Shortness of breath, bradycardia, and hypertension d. Regular heart rate, and hypertension