CHILD NURSING CARE
3RD EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)MEREDITH SCANNELL
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Core Concepts of Maternal and Pediatric Health Care
Across the Continuum — Nursing Roles
Stem
A postpartum unit assigns a newly graduated RN to triage
telephone calls from discharged postpartum patients. During
the first night on the job, the RN receives a call: a mother
pg. 1
,reports increasing unilateral breast pain, erythema, fever 38.6°C
(101.5°F), and flu-like malaise on postpartum day 9. The RN is
uncertain whether to advise home care or referral. Which
action should the RN prioritize?
A. Advise warm compresses, frequent breastfeeding, and follow
up in 48 hours.
B. Instruct the mother to continue analgesics and call back if
symptoms worsen.
C. Arrange same-day in-person evaluation for possible
mastitis/abscess.
D. Recommend increasing fluid intake and using cold packs
between feedings.
Correct answer
C
Rationales
Correct (C): The RN role includes triage and safety prioritization.
Unilateral breast pain with fever on postpartum day 9 suggests
infectious mastitis that may progress to abscess; same-day
evaluation ensures timely antibiotics or drainage if needed.
pg. 2
,Early assessment reduces maternal morbidity and preserves
breastfeeding.
Incorrect (A): Warm compresses and breastfeeding can help
early plugged ducts but are incomplete when fever and
systemic symptoms indicate infection—delaying evaluation risks
abscess formation.
Incorrect (B): Advising analgesics and wait-and-see neglects the
systemic signs of infection and fails to escalate appropriately.
Incorrect (D): Cold packs and fluids offer symptom relief but do
not address possible infection; this is insufficient given fever
and systemic symptoms.
Teaching Point
Fever + localized breast erythema postpartum requires prompt
in-person evaluation for mastitis/abscess.
Citation
Scannell, M. (2025). Davis Advantage for Maternal-Child Nursing
Care (3rd ed.). Ch. 1 — Nursing Roles.
2
pg. 3
, Reference
Ch. 1 — Core Concepts — Standards of Practice & Nursing
Process
Stem
During a home visit, a nurse documents a new infant with
shallow respirations, nasal flaring, and a respiratory rate of
68/min. The infant is feeding poorly and appears lethargic.
According to nursing standards and the nursing process, what is
the nurse’s highest priority action?
A. Schedule the infant for a routine clinic follow-up in 48 hours.
B. Initiate emergency transfer to an ED or call emergency
services.
C. Teach parents suctioning techniques and observe feedings.
D. Reassess vitals in 4 hours and document findings.
Correct answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): Shallow respirations, nasal flaring, tachypnea (RR
68), poor feeding, and lethargy are signs of respiratory distress
pg. 4