Postpartum and Newborn Nursing Care Study Guide

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms from the Unit 3 Study Guide, focusing on postpartum maternal adaptation, physiological changes, complications, medications, and newborn assessment according to the lecture transcript.

Puerperium

The postpartum period which lasts approximately $6$ weeks.

4th Trimester

Another term for the postpartum period.

Taking-in phase

Rubin’s first phase of postpartum adaptation.

Taking-hold phase

The postpartum phase in which the mother becomes interested in learning infant care.

Letting-go phase

The phase in which parents accept lifestyle changes related to the newborn.

Engrossment

Intense interest shown by a new father toward the infant.

Involution

The process by which the uterus returns to its prepregnant state.

Subinvolution

Failure of the uterus to return to its prepregnant size.

Fundal Descent

Process where the uterine fundus descends approximately $1$ cm per day postpartum.

Boggy Uterus

A soft uterus that places the patient at risk for postpartum hemorrhage and requires massage.

Lochia Rubra

Lochia that is bright red and mostly blood.

Lochia Serosa

Pink or brown-tinged lochia occurring around days $3-10$.

Lochia Alba

White or yellow-white lochia occurring after day $10$.

REEDA

An acronym standing for Redness, edema, ecchymosis, discharge, and approximation, used to assess the perineum.

Prolactin

The hormone responsible for milk production.

Oxytocin

The hormone responsible for milk let-down.

Football hold

A breastfeeding position (along with side-lying) that is best for a mother recovering from a cesarean birth.

Uterine Atony

Failure of the uterus to contract effectively after delivery.

Tachycardia

Usually the first sign of hypovolemic shock postpartum.

Cervical Laceration

Indicated by bright red bleeding occurring even when the fundus is firm.

Homans’ sign

A positive sign that may indicate thrombophlebitis.

Vaginal Birth Blood Loss

A normal loss of approximately $500$ mL.

Cesarean Birth Blood Loss

A normal loss of approximately $1000$ mL.

Postpartum Chills

Commonly caused by the release of epinephrine.

Colace (DSS)

A common stool softener prescribed postpartum.

RhoGAM

Medication given within $72$ hours to an Rh-negative mother who delivers an Rh-positive infant.

Rubella Titer

A measurement less than $1:8$ requires immunization postpartum.

Vitamin K

The antidote for warfarin (Coumadin) overdose.

Naloxone (Narcan)

Used to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression.

Postpartum Psychosis

A psychological state characterized by loss of reality and severe mental status changes.

Postpartum Blues

Temporary mood swings and tearfulness after birth.

Evaporative Heat Loss

Heat loss from evaporation of moisture on the newborn’s skin.

Conduction Heat Loss

Heat loss from direct contact with a cold surface.

Convection Heat Loss

Heat loss from drafts.

Radiation Heat Loss

Heat loss from nearby cold surfaces without direct contact.

Newborn Hypoglycemia

A blood glucose level below $45$ mg/dL, sometimes indicated by a high-pitched cry.

Meconium

Newborn stool usually passed within the first $12$ hours of life.

Lanugo

Fine hair commonly seen on preterm newborns.

Vernix

The creamy white protective substance on newborn skin.

Ballard Assessment

The gestational age tool commonly used after birth.