Question

As part of the postpartum assessment, the nurse examines the breasts of a primiparous breastfeeding woman who is one day postpartum. An expected finding would be:

1. Soft, non-tender; colostrum is present
2. Leakage of milk at let down
3. Swollen, warm, and tender upon palpation
4. A few blisters and a bruise on each areola

Answer 1

Soft, non-tender breasts with colostrum present is an expected finding for a primiparous breastfeeding woman one day postpartum. This is because colostrum is produced before childbirth, while mature breast milk comes in several days after birth.

Step-by-step explanation:

An expected finding in a primiparous breastfeeding woman who is one day postpartum would be soft, non-tender breasts with colostrum present. Colostrum is a thick, yellowish substance that is rich in proteins and provides immunoglobulins to boost the newborn's immune defenses. It is normal for colostrum to be produced in the final weeks of pregnancy, and sometimes there is leakage from the nipples before childbirth. However, mature breast milk is not secreted until several days after childbirth.

Therefore, options such as milk leakage at let-down or swollen, warm, and tender breasts upon palpation are less likely this soon postpartum, though they could occur as milk production increases. Blisters and bruises on the areola would not be an expected finding and might indicate breastfeeding complications such as poor latch or technique.