Maternal and Newborn Nursing Flashcards

A client at 34 weeks reports sudden bright red, painless vaginal bleeding. Which action should the nurse avoid?

Answer: Performing a vaginal examination

Painless bright red bleeding suggests placenta previa, and a vaginal exam could cause severe hemorrhage.

A client at 37 weeks has dark red vaginal bleeding, a rigid board-like abdomen, and severe constant pain. The nurse suspects which condition?

Answer: Abruptio placentae

Painful bleeding with a rigid uterus is the classic sign of placental abruption.

A laboring client who tested positive for group B streptococcus at 36 weeks asks why she needs IV antibiotics. What is the best response?

Answer: It lowers the risk of passing the infection to your baby during birth

Intrapartum penicillin prevents early-onset GBS sepsis in the newborn.

Why is vitamin K given IM to newborns shortly after birth?

Answer: Newborns lack the intestinal bacteria needed to make vitamin K

The sterile newborn gut cannot make vitamin K, so it is given to prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding.

A breastfed newborn is noted to have jaundice at 12 hours of age. What is the nurse's priority interpretation?

Answer: This is pathologic and must be reported

Jaundice in the first 24 hours is considered pathologic and often points to hemolysis.

On postpartum day 5, a client reports pinkish-brown vaginal discharge. How should the nurse document this?

Answer: Lochia serosa, an expected finding

Lochia serosa is pinkish-brown and usually occurs from about day 4 to day 10.

A client at 28 weeks gestation has a fundal height of 28 cm. How should the nurse interpret this?

Answer: Consistent with gestational age

Between 20 and 36 weeks, fundal height in centimeters roughly equals the weeks of gestation.