Chapter 10: Nursing Care of Women with
Complications After Birth
Leifer: Introduction to Maternity and Pediatric Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What is the best response to a postpartum woman who tells the nurse she feels “tired and sick all
of the time since I had the baby 3 months ago”?
a. “This is a normal response for the body after pregnancy. Try to get more rest.”
b. “I‘ll bet you will snap out of this funk real soon.”
c. “Why don‘t you arrange for a babysitter so you and your husband can have a night out?”
d. “Let‘s talk about this further. I am concerned about how you are feeling.”
ANS: D
If a postpartum woman seems depressed, it is important to explore her feelings to determine
if they are persistent and pervasive.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: pp. 259-260 OBJ: 6 | 7
TOP: Depression KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: Psychosocial Adaptation
2. The nurse is caring for a woman who had a cesarean birth yesterday. Varicose veins are visible
on both legs. What nursing action is the most appropriate to prevent thrombus formation?
a. Have the woman sit in a chair for meals.
b. Monitor vital signs every 4 hours and report any changes.
c. Tell the woman to remain in bed with her legs elevated.
d. Assist the woman with ambulation for short periods of time.
ANS: D
Early ambulation and range-of-motion exercises are valuable aids to prevent thrombus
formation in the postpartum woman.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 257 OBJ: 4
, TOP: Thrombus Prevention KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
3. Five days after a spontaneous vaginal delivery, a woman comes to the emergency room because
she has a fever and persistent cramping. What does the nurse recognize as the possible cause of
these signs and symptoms?
a. Dehydration
b. Hypovolemic shock
c. Endometritis
d. Cystitis
ANS: C
Fever after 24 hours following delivery is suggestive of an infection. Severe cramping and
fever are manifestations of endometritis.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: p. 257 | Table 10.2
OBJ: 2 TOP: Puerperal Infections
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Data Collection
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
4. At her 6-week postpartum checkup, a woman mentions to the nurse that she cannot sleep and is
not eating. She feels guilty because sometimes she believes her infant is dead. What does the
nurse recognize as the cause of this woman‘s symptoms?
a. Bipolar disorder
b. Major depression
c. Postpartum blues
d. Postpartum depression
ANS: B
Major depression is a disorder characterized by deep feelings of worthlessness, guilt, serious
sleep, and appetite disturbances, and sometimes delusions about the infant being dead.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: pp. 259-260 OBJ: 7
TOP: Major Depression KEY: Nursing Process Step: Data Collection
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: Coping and Adaptation
Complications After Birth
Leifer: Introduction to Maternity and Pediatric Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What is the best response to a postpartum woman who tells the nurse she feels “tired and sick all
of the time since I had the baby 3 months ago”?
a. “This is a normal response for the body after pregnancy. Try to get more rest.”
b. “I‘ll bet you will snap out of this funk real soon.”
c. “Why don‘t you arrange for a babysitter so you and your husband can have a night out?”
d. “Let‘s talk about this further. I am concerned about how you are feeling.”
ANS: D
If a postpartum woman seems depressed, it is important to explore her feelings to determine
if they are persistent and pervasive.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: pp. 259-260 OBJ: 6 | 7
TOP: Depression KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: Psychosocial Adaptation
2. The nurse is caring for a woman who had a cesarean birth yesterday. Varicose veins are visible
on both legs. What nursing action is the most appropriate to prevent thrombus formation?
a. Have the woman sit in a chair for meals.
b. Monitor vital signs every 4 hours and report any changes.
c. Tell the woman to remain in bed with her legs elevated.
d. Assist the woman with ambulation for short periods of time.
ANS: D
Early ambulation and range-of-motion exercises are valuable aids to prevent thrombus
formation in the postpartum woman.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 257 OBJ: 4
, TOP: Thrombus Prevention KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
3. Five days after a spontaneous vaginal delivery, a woman comes to the emergency room because
she has a fever and persistent cramping. What does the nurse recognize as the possible cause of
these signs and symptoms?
a. Dehydration
b. Hypovolemic shock
c. Endometritis
d. Cystitis
ANS: C
Fever after 24 hours following delivery is suggestive of an infection. Severe cramping and
fever are manifestations of endometritis.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: p. 257 | Table 10.2
OBJ: 2 TOP: Puerperal Infections
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Data Collection
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
4. At her 6-week postpartum checkup, a woman mentions to the nurse that she cannot sleep and is
not eating. She feels guilty because sometimes she believes her infant is dead. What does the
nurse recognize as the cause of this woman‘s symptoms?
a. Bipolar disorder
b. Major depression
c. Postpartum blues
d. Postpartum depression
ANS: B
Major depression is a disorder characterized by deep feelings of worthlessness, guilt, serious
sleep, and appetite disturbances, and sometimes delusions about the infant being dead.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: pp. 259-260 OBJ: 7
TOP: Major Depression KEY: Nursing Process Step: Data Collection
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: Coping and Adaptation
