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A nurse notes a perineal laceration that extends into the rectal mucosa after a woman gives birth to a full-term baby. How does the nurse document this information?

A. First-degree laceration
B. Second-degree laceration
C. Third-degree laceration
D. Fourth-degree laceration

1 Answer

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Final answer:

A perineal laceration that extends into the rectal mucosa after childbirth is classified as a fourth-degree laceration (option D).

Step-by-step explanation:

The perineal laceration described extends into the rectal mucosa, which indicates a significant tear occurring during the birth of a full-term baby. The classification of perineal tears in childbirth has four degrees, where first-degree involves only the perineal skin, second-degree extends into the muscles beneath the skin, third-degree reaches the muscles around the rectum, and fourth-degree affects the rectal sphincter and the rectal mucosa. Given that the laceration reaches the rectal mucosa, this situation is documented as a fourth-degree laceration.

Hence, the answer is option D.

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