A nurse is caring for a postpartum person who is at risk for infection. What is the most important nursing action to reduce the risk of infection?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: offer antibiotics as needed. In postpartum individuals at high risk for infection, antibiotics may be necessary to prevent or treat infections. Antibiotics target specific pathogens, reducing the risk of infection. Proper hand hygiene (B) and infection control practices (D) are important but do not directly address the underlying risk of infection. Providing perineal care and hygiene (A) is essential for overall hygiene but may not be sufficient in preventing infections in high-risk individuals. Antibiotics, when prescribed judiciously and appropriately, can be crucial in reducing the risk of infection and promoting recovery.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: administer preoperative medication. Before a cesarean birth, it is crucial to administer preoperative medication to ensure the person's comfort and safety during the procedure. This medication can include pain relief and sedatives to manage anxiety. Administering antibiotics (choice B) is important to prevent infection, but it typically occurs after preoperative medication. Assisting with perineal care (choice C) and applying pressure to the abdomen (choice D) are not necessary steps before a cesarean birth.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: administer an analgesic. This is the priority intervention because pain management helps the person relax, which reduces stress on the uterus and promotes effective contraction to prevent uterine atony. Administering uterotonic medication (choice A) may help contract the uterus but addressing pain first is crucial. Performing uterine massage (choice C) can assist in contracting the uterus but is not the priority intervention. Administering IV fluids (choice D) is important for hydration but does not directly address preventing uterine atony.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: provide non-pharmacological pain relief. During the first stage of labor, it is crucial to prioritize non-pharmacological pain relief techniques such as breathing exercises, massage, and positioning to help manage the discomfort and promote comfort. This approach aligns with the goal of supporting the person's natural labor process and minimizing interventions that could potentially affect the progress of labor. Administering pain relief (B) or analgesics (C) may not be necessary or advisable at this stage unless specifically requested by the laboring person or deemed appropriate by the healthcare provider. Administering IV fluids (D) is important for hydration but is not the most critical intervention during the first stage of labor.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.