Question

A nurse is caring for a 1-day postpartum client. The progress note above informs the nurse that the client is in which phase of the postpartum period?

a) Taking in
b) Taking hold
c) Letting go
d) Letting in

Answer 1

Janine is given pitocin to facilitate labor after experiencing inadequate progress in cervical dilation. The newborn's first breath expands the lungs and triggers significant changes in circulatory patterns, initiating closure of fetal shunts.

Step-by-step explanation:

Case #38 describes a scenario where Janine is 41 weeks into her pregnancy and has been experiencing prolonged labor with little cervical dilation. The administration of an IV infusion of pitocin is initiated to augment contractions, encourage further dilation of the cervix, and facilitate progression towards delivery because her labor is not advancing adequately on its own.

In case #39, the newborn's first breath is a transformative moment that brings significant changes to the circulatory system. Upon taking the first breath, the lungs expand, reducing resistance in the pulmonary blood vessels. This change causes an increase in blood flow to the lungs and initiates the closure of fetal circulatory shunts, significantly altering the newborn's circulatory pattern.