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

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Monitor vital signs. This is the most important intervention because changes in vital signs can indicate the presence of infection early on. By closely monitoring the postpartum person's vital signs, the nurse can promptly identify any signs of infection and initiate appropriate interventions. Educating on proper hygiene (B) and wound care (C) are essential but monitoring vital signs takes precedence in immediate infection detection. Encouraging ambulation (D) is beneficial for preventing complications like blood clots, but it is not the most crucial intervention for infection prevention in this scenario.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Count fetal movements and report a decrease of more than 10 movements per day. This recommendation is evidence-based and aligns with guidelines for monitoring fetal well-being. Counting fetal movements helps assess fetal health, and a decrease in movements could indicate potential issues like fetal distress. Reporting a decrease of more than 10 movements per day ensures timely intervention if needed. Choice B is incorrect because waiting until after 32 weeks could delay necessary intervention if there are concerns about fetal movements. Choice C is incorrect as it dismisses the importance of monitoring fetal movements altogether. Choice D is incorrect as there is no requirement to always lie down or restrict monitoring to only after meals, which could lead to missed opportunities for detecting potential problems.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: offer emotional support. This is crucial as postpartum can be a challenging time emotionally. Providing emotional support helps the person cope with any feelings of anxiety, sadness, or overwhelm. Breastfeeding (B) and positioning assistance (C) are important but not the most critical aspect of discharge teaching. Non-pharmacological pain relief (D) is important but not as crucial as emotional support for overall well-being.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Respiratory depression. After receiving an epidural block, the nurse should monitor for respiratory depression in a patient with a history of asthma due to the potential for decreased lung function. This is crucial as the medication from the block can affect respiratory drive, leading to compromised breathing. Tachycardia (choice B), elevated blood pressure (choice C), and hyperthermia (choice D) are not typically associated with epidural blocks and are not the primary concerns for a patient with asthma undergoing this procedure.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: The patient's blood pressure and hydration status should be assessed first because dizziness and lightheadedness can be indicative of hypotension or dehydration, common issues during pregnancy. Monitoring blood pressure will help determine if the symptoms are related to low blood pressure, and assessing hydration status can identify if the patient needs to increase fluid intake. Summary of other choices: B: Assessing fetal heart rate and activity is important but not the priority in this situation as the focus should be on the maternal health first. C: Checking hemoglobin and hematocrit levels is important for detecting anemia, but it is not the initial assessment for dizziness and lightheadedness. D: Monitoring weight gain and diet history are essential aspects of prenatal care but are not the immediate concerns when a pregnant patient is experiencing dizziness and lightheadedness.