Author Question: A client is three days postop from a cesarean birth. She has tenderness, localized heat, and redness ... (Read 61 times)

tsand2 · **on:** Jun 28, 2018

A client is three days postop from a cesarean birth. She has tenderness, localized heat, and redness of the left leg. She is afebrile. As a result of these symptoms, she most likely will be:

1. Encouraged to ambulate freely.
2. Given aspirin 650 mg by mouth.
3. Given Methergine IM.
4. Placed on bedrest.

Question 2

The laboring client requests pain medication. Her contractions are lasting 2030 seconds and are occurring every 820 minutes. The nurse would explain that analgesics given at this time would likely cause:

1. Fetal respiratory depression.
2. Decreased analgesic effectiveness at the end of labor.
3. Maternal hypotension.
4. Prolonged labor.

raili21 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 28, 2018

Answer to Question 1

4
Rationale:
1. That would increase the inflammation.
2. Aspirin 650 mg by mouth has anticoagulant properties, but usually is not necessary unless complications occur.
3. Methergine is given only for postpartum hemorrhage, and would only cause vasoconstriction of an already inflamed vessel.
4. These symptoms indicate the presence of superficial thrombophlebitis. The treatment involves bedrest and elevation of the affected limb, analgesics, and use of elastic support hose.

Answer to Question 2

4
Rationale:
1. Pain medication given before established labor does not cause fetal respiratory depression unless the mother delivers within an hour of receiving the medication. This is not likely if labor is not established.
2. Medication given early in the labor process does not become less effective at the end of labor.
3. Analgesics might lower the blood pressure, but this effect does not cause the contraction pattern to be altered.
4. Pain medication given before labor becomes established is likely to prolong the labor process.