As a member of the health-care team, the perinatal nurse finds it ...

[Tazate]

As a member of the health-care team, the perinatal nurse finds it helpful following a maternal emergency, such as a postpartum hemorrhage, to engage in which of the following activities? (Select all that apply.)
 
  A.
  A family meeting to encourage communication and understanding
  B.
  Debriefing with the other staff members involved in the patient's care
  C.
  Health-promoting behaviors such as adequate sleep and exercise
  D.
  Review of the case to determine any fault in the care provided
  E.
  Time off to resolve any conflict with other staff members

Question 2

A woman is being treated for endometritis after a cesarean birth. To prevent a possible complication, what action by the nurse is best?
 
  A.
  Encourage the woman to empty her bladder every 4 hours.
  B.
  Instruct the woman to monitor her temperature at home.
  C.
  Prepare the woman to have cultures of her lochia taken.
  D.
  Teach her to splint her abdominal incision when coughing.

[Melissahxx]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A, B, C
After the crisis has passed and immediate interventions have been completed, a debriefing of the healthcare team's response to the situation can be helpful as a learning opportunity. It is important to note the family's response to the unforeseen events and to include them, as appropriate, in the discussion. Because most families expect childbirth to be uneventful, a postpartum hemorrhage can provoke widely differing emotional responses. The prudent and compassionate clinician will take the time to let both the patient and the family express their feelings and affirm their concerns. Taking care of oneself is always helpful to decrease stress. The other actions are not helpful.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
One possible complication of endometritis is dehiscence of incisions, such as from a cesarean birth or an episiotomy. Teaching the woman to firmly splint the incision when she coughs will add support and decrease the likelihood of this occurring. Taking one's temperature and collecting cultures do not prevent a complication; these are used for monitoring and diagnosing. Emptying the bladder is unrelated.