Final answer:
The best recommendation for a postpartum client experiencing breast engorgement while bottle feeding is to avoid breast stimulation, wear a supportive bra, apply cold compresses, and use pain relief medications as needed. Monitoring for mastitis is important, and severe or prolonged engorgement should be addressed by a healthcare provider.
Step-by-step explanation:
A postpartum client who is bottle feeding and experiencing breast engorgement can benefit from a few recommendations to alleviate discomfort. Engorgement occurs when the breasts are swollen with milk, blood, and other fluids, causing them to feel hard and tender. This is a normal part of the lactation process as a result of changes in the supply-and-demand cycle of milk production, which involves the hormone prolactin and the release of oxytocin.
For a client not breastfeeding, it's essential to suppress lactation to relieve engorgement. The nurse can recommend strictly avoiding breast stimulation, as this can promote milk production. Wearing a supportive bra, applying cold compresses, and taking over-the-counter pain medications, if necessary, can help manage discomfort and reduce swelling. It is important for the client to monitor for symptoms of mastitis, such as fever and localized breast pain, which would require prompt medical attention. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications may also be beneficial.
In the case of severe engorgement or prolonged symptoms, the client should consult a healthcare provider for additional guidance, which may include the use of medications to suppress lactation or medical procedures to relieve milk build-up.