A client who is breast-feeding her newborn tells the nurse, I ...

[abern]

A client who is breast-feeding her newborn tells the nurse, I notice that when I feed him, I feel fairly strong contraction-like pain. Labor is over. Why am I having contractions now? Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?
 
  A) Your uterus is still shrinking in size; that's why you're feeling this pain..
  B) Let me check your vaginal discharge just to make sure everything is fine..
  C) Your body is responding to the events of labor, just like after a tough workout..
  D) The baby's sucking releases a hormone that causes the uterus to contract..

Question 2

The nurse assesses a postpartum patient's discharge as being moderate in amount and red in color. How should the nurse document the appearance of the lochia?
 
  A) Lochia alba
  B) Lochia rubra
  C) Lochia serosa
  D) Lochia normalia

[macmac]

Answer to Question 1

D
Feedback:
The woman is describing afterpains, which are usually stronger during breast-feeding because oxytocin released by the sucking reflex strengthens uterine contractions. Afterpains are associated with uterine involution, but the woman's description strongly correlates with the hormonal events of breast-feeding. All women experience afterpains, but they are more acute in multiparous women secondary to repeated stretching of the uterine muscles.

Answer to Question 2

B
Feedback:
Lochia that is red in color, or bloody, is termed lochia rubra. Lochia alba is colorless flow that occurs around postpartum day 10 . Lochia serosa is pink or brown in color and appears around postpartum day 4 . Lochia normalia is not a term used to describe lochia.

[abern]

Excellent

[komodo7]

Great answer, keep it coming