NCLEX Question for 2 weeks After Delivery Assessment

A breast feeding mother is visited by the home health nurse two weeks after the delivery. The woman is febrile with flu like symptoms; on assessment the nurse notes a warm, reddened, painful area of the right breast. The best initial action of the nurse is to

    a. contact the physician for an order for antibiotics.
    b. advise the mother to stop breast feeding and pumping.
    c. assess the mother’s feeding technique and knowledge.
    d. obtain a sample of breast milk for culture.

Correct Answer: A. These symptoms are signs of infectious mastitis, usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus; a 10-day course of antibiotics is indicated.
 

In mastitis, an improved outcome, a decreased duration of symptoms, and decreased incidence of breast abscess result if the breasts continue to be emptied by either nursing or pumping.
 

It is important that breast feeding technique and knowledge be assessed when mastitis has occurred because there have been found to be contributing factors for this complication; however, it is not the best initial action of the nurse.
 

Diagnosis and treatment of mastitis are usually based on symptoms and physical examination, even while waiting for laboratory results; if there is a recurrence of the mastitis, most experts agree that a culture should be obtained.

Posted in: MCN NCLEX