Overview
17-year-old Deborah Nelson is sitting in her bed. Her (2 day) newborn is out of the room for a hearing screening. She is upset and teary eyed as she doesn't know how to care for a newborn baby. Deborah lives with her mother; however, her mother works full time.
The father of the baby is not involved in the care of the infant.
Physiologic State Phase 1 (Maternal)
T = 97.8 F oral
BP = 122/68
P = 86
RR = 20
O2 Sat = 98% (room air)
Pain Level = 2/10; uterine cramping
• Heart sounds: Regular
• Lung sounds: Clear
• Breasts: Full; no tenderness; no masses
• Fundus: Firm; 2 cm below the umbilicus
• Bowel sounds: Active
• Bladder: Non-distended
• Lochia: Moderate Rubra
• Perineum: Intact (no episiotomy or laceration
noted)
• No hemorrhoids
• Extremities: No edema
• Pulses: 2+
• Patient's speech: Clear, anxious
• Patient states, "I am so scared to go home. I
don't know how to take care of a baby!"
1. How would the nurse respond to Deborah Nelson's statement, "I don't know how to take care of a baby?"
2. What normal findings would the nurse expect in a focused assessment for a woman 2 days post-partum?
