ATI RN
Complication Postpartum Questions
Question 1 of 5
What is the most common reason for late postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Subinvolution of the uterus. This is the most common cause of late postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) due to incomplete contraction and retraction of the uterus leading to persistent bleeding. Subinvolution can result from retained placental fragments, uterine infections, or inadequate involution. Choice B, defective vascularity of the decidua, is less common and not typically associated with late PPH. Cervical lacerations (Choice C) usually cause immediate bleeding after delivery, not late PPH. Coagulation disorders (Choice D) can cause both early and late PPH but are less common than subinvolution.
Question 2 of 5
What is one of the initial signs and symptoms of puerperal infection in the postpartum client?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher on 2 successive days is a key sign of puerperal infection. This is due to the body's response to infection. Fatigue (choice A) can be a symptom but is nonspecific. Pain with voiding (choice B) may indicate a urinary tract infection. Profuse vaginal lochia (choice C) may be normal postpartum.
Question 3 of 5
A woman who has recently given birth complains of pain and tenderness in her leg. On physical examination, the nurse notices warmth and redness over an enlarged, hardened area. Which condition should the nurse suspect, and how will it be confirmed?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Thrombophlebitis; using real-time and color Doppler ultrasound. Thrombophlebitis is the inflammation of a vein with the formation of a blood clot. In this scenario, the woman's symptoms of pain, tenderness, warmth, redness, and an enlarged, hardened area in her leg are indicative of thrombophlebitis. Using real-time and color Doppler ultrasound will confirm the diagnosis by visualizing the blood clot in the affected vein. This diagnostic method is effective in detecting thrombosis and determining the extent of the clot, guiding appropriate treatment. Incorrect choices: A: Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a systemic process causing widespread clotting in small blood vessels, leading to bleeding. Asking for laboratory tests wouldn't be the appropriate way to confirm thrombophlebitis. B: von Willebrand disease (vWD) is a genetic bleeding disorder, and checking
Question 4 of 5
Which condition is considered a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Inversion of the uterus. This condition is a medical emergency as it involves the uterus turning inside out, which can lead to severe hemorrhage and shock. Immediate treatment is crucial to prevent further complications. B: Hypotonic uterus, while concerning, does not pose an immediate life-threatening risk compared to uterine inversion. C: ITP (Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura) is a disorder affecting platelet levels, but it is not a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment like uterine inversion. D: Uterine atony is a common postpartum complication, but it does not pose the same urgent threat as uterine inversion.
Question 5 of 5
What would a steady trickle of bright red blood from the vagina in the presence of a firm fundus suggest to the nurse?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Uterine atony. A steady trickle of bright red blood with a firm fundus suggests uterine atony, which is the inability of the uterus to contract effectively after childbirth. This can lead to postpartum hemorrhage. Other choices are incorrect as they do not align with the clinical presentation. B: Lacerations of the genital tract would present with more active bleeding and not a steady trickle. C: Perineal hematoma involves bleeding in the perineal area, not from the vagina. D: Infection of the uterus would typically present with other symptoms like fever and foul-smelling discharge.