More Questions on this Topic
More Questions on this Topic ( 35 Questions)
A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client who had preeclampsia and delivered her baby 2 days ago.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
The client should not stop taking her blood pressure medication without consulting her doctor. Blood pressure medication helps lower the blood pressure and protects the organs from damage. The blood pressure usually returns to normal within several days to weeks after delivery, but some clients may need medication for longer.
The client should not avoid breastfeeding her baby unless there is a medical reason to do so. Breastfeeding has many benefits for both the mother and the baby, and does not affect the blood pressure or the preeclampsia.
The nurse should instruct the client to report any headache or visual changes to the doctor immediately, as these are signs of worsening preeclampsia that can lead to serious complications such as stroke, eclampsia, or HELLP syndrome. Preeclampsia can persist or even begin after delivery, most often within 48 hours, so the client should monitor her blood pressure and symptoms until they resolve.
The client should not limit her fluid intake to prevent fluid overload. Fluid overload is not a common complication of preeclampsia, and limiting fluids can cause dehydration and affect the milk supply for breastfeeding.
The client should drink enough fluids to stay hydrated and follow a balanced diet.
The nurse should instruct the client to report any headache or visual changes to the doctor immediately, as these are signs of worsening preeclampsia that can lead to serious complications such as stroke, eclampsia, or HELLP syndrome. Preeclampsia can persist or even begin after delivery, most often within 48 hours, so the client should monitor her blood pressure and symptoms until they resolve.
Choice A is wrong because the client should not stop taking her blood pressure medication without consulting her doctor. Blood pressure medication helps lower the blood pressure and protects the organs from damage. The blood pressure usually returns to normal within several days to weeks after delivery, but some clients may need medication for longer.
Choice B is wrong because the client should not avoid breastfeeding her baby unless there is a medical reason to do so. Breastfeeding has many benefits for both the mother and the baby, and does not affect the blood pressure or the preeclampsia.
Choice D is wrong because the client should not limit her fluid intake to prevent fluid overload. Fluid overload is not a common complication of preeclampsia, and limiting fluids can cause dehydration and affect the milk supply for breastfeeding.
The client should drink enough fluids to stay hydrated and follow a balanced diet.