The postpartum mother with a third degree laceration tells the ...

[mia]

The postpartum mother with a third degree laceration tells the nurse she is afraid to have a bowel movement because of her painful episiotomy. What should the nurse do?
 
  a. Offer a suppository or enema
  b. Encourage ambulation
  c. Offer stool softeners as prescribed
  d. Offer pain medication before defecating

Question 2

A pregnant woman visits a clinic visit during her 21st week of pregnancy. The nurse identifies edema, hypertension, and proteinuria. What condition does the nurse suspect?
 
  a. Allergy
  b. Protein deficiency
  c. Circulatory problem
  d. Gestational hypertension

[onowka]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Stool softeners are available to ease the pain of defecation caused by hemorrhoids and birth trauma. Suppositories or enemas are contraindicated in mothers with third or fourth degree lacerations. Pain medications can often cause constipation. Ambulation may aid in defecation, but will not soften the stool.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Gestational hypertension (GH), formerly referred to as pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), is a disease encountered during pregnancy or early in the puerperium, characterized by increasing hypertension, proteinuria, and generalized edema. These signs generally appear after the 20th week of pregnancy.