Maternal-Newborn Nursing Flashcards

A breastfeeding mother asks how to know if her newborn is getting enough milk. The best indicator is:

Answer: 6–8 wet diapers per day by day 4–5

Six to eight wet diapers per day after milk comes in (day 4–5) confirms adequate newborn hydration and intake.

A patient in the postpartum period has a boggy uterus and heavy vaginal bleeding. What is the priority nursing action?

Answer: Firmly massage the uterine fundus

Uterine massage is the immediate action to stimulate uterine contraction and reduce postpartum hemorrhage from uterine atony.

At what gestational age is a fetus considered to be at full term by current ACOG definitions?

Answer: 39 0/7 weeks

ACOG defines full term as 39 0/7 to 40 6/7 weeks; 37–38 weeks is now classified as early term.

A mother is Rh-negative and delivers an Rh-positive newborn. The nurse should administer RhoGAM within:

Answer: 72 hours of delivery

RhoGAM (Rh immune globulin) must be administered within 72 hours of delivery to prevent Rh sensitization.

Which assessment finding in a newborn is associated with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)?

Answer: Nasal flaring and grunting on expiration

Nasal flaring and expiratory grunting are classic signs of RDS, indicating the infant is working hard to keep alveoli open.

A gravida 3 para 2 patient is at 30 weeks and reports painless bright red vaginal bleeding. The nurse suspects:

Answer: Placenta previa

Painless bright red bleeding in the second or third trimester is the classic presentation of placenta previa.