A nurse on a postpartum unit is caring for a client. Exhibits For each finding, click to specify if the finding is consistent with uterine atony or infection. Each finding may support more than 1 disease process or none at all. There must be at least 1 selection in every column. There does not need to be a selection in every row.

Rationale: Prenatal anemia: Anemia reduces immune function and tissue oxygenation, making the client more susceptible to postpartum infections, including uterine and systemic infections. High parity: Multiparity increases the risk of uterine atony due to repeated stretching and decreased tone of the uterine muscles. This predisposes the postpartum client to poor uterine contraction and increased risk of hemorrhage. Polyhydramnios: Excessive amniotic fluid causes uterine overdistension, which weakens uterine contractility and increases the risk of atony and postpartum hemorrhage. Prolonged rupture of membranes: Extended rupture of membranes (>18 hours) significantly increases the risk of intrauterine or postpartum infection, including endometritis, due to ascending bacteria from the vaginal canal. This can lead to fever, leukocytosis, and foul-smelling lochia.