Breast Feeding and Contractions Questions

Jolie, BSN · Sep 4, 2008

Question #1: Although it's not a good answer, your first choice is accurate. The second choice is not accurate, as BM can be refrigerated for 24 hours, or frozen if needed.

Question #2: Choice 2 is correct. The most common causes of uterine irritability are dehydration and/or a full bladder. Answer 2 addresses both these possibilities.

elanddeenrs · Sep 4, 2008

exactly

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Sep 4, 2008

what Jolie said.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Sep 4, 2008

For full-term healthy infants freshly expressed breastmilk can be kept in the fridge for up to 7 days; it's good in the fridge x 24 hours after being taken out of the freezer.

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Sep 4, 2008

Question #1: Although it's not a good answer, your first choice is accurate. The second choice is not accurate, as BM can be refrigerated for 24 hours, or frozen if needed.
Question #2: Choice 2 is correct. The most common causes of uterine irritability are dehydration and/or a full bladder. Answer 2 addresses both these possibilities.

Yep! :nurse:

justme1972 · Sep 5, 2008

I'm a student...so I'll reason with a 'student' mentality.

With question one, a new mother may not be able to pump every 2 to 3 hours depending on her job. However, I know that breast milk can be refrigerated 24 hours...much longer than 4. However, they should never, ever put it in the freezer at work b/c it will start to drop in temp on the way home, and then if she freezes it again when she gets home...that's not good. It should only be frozen once.

So the answer to the first one would have to be 1.

The second question I would go with 2. "Unusual" contractions could mean anything. Since both answers say lay on left side, count contractions, call back in an hour if they haven't subsided....this is another reason I would choose answer 2....Mom may not be able to lay for an hour if she has to void, so I would have her drink, void, then lay down and start counting.

However, I agree the question is not clear. Personally I would have Mom walk around first for a few minutes and see if they go away instead of lying down.

Then again, I tend to think too much on tests....can't you tell???

Bree124, BSN, RN · Sep 5, 2008

However, I agree the question is not clear. Personally I would have Mom walk around first for a few minutes and see if they go away instead of lying down.

I have never, ever heard of a recommendation to "walk around" for preterm contractions. You DON'T want mom delivering at 33 weeks, so walking around is not a good choice in this scenario. If mom was 38 weeks pregnant, then sure, walk around and see if they speed up, slow down, or whatever. 33 weeks is way too early to be delivering, and drinking water, peeing, and laying on your left side are the three best bets for naturally slowing or stopping some early contractions.

Just want to make sure you know this so you don't recommend the wrong thing during pt teaching or something. :nurse:

Jolie, BSN · Sep 5, 2008

Good information, Bree!

I think the reference to "unusual" contractions is important in this question. Preterm contractons often do not fit the usual description of labor pains. They may be described by the patient as non-specific pain, including thigh pain, low back pain, abdominal pain, cramping, pelvic pressure, etc.

RS0302 · Sep 5, 2008

I know for sure the answer to question two is the second one. I am 26 weeks pregnant and that is what I have been advised to do by my doctor and that is what it says to do in all my pregnancy books!

mommybess, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2008

Just wanted to see if I could get a little input from a few professionals. Just finished up an exam and there were 2 questions that were a little...questionable. I'll try to quote them from memory the best I can.
1) A new mother who is breast feeding has some concerns about continued breast feeding at work. What is the nurses best advice?
I had it down to two responses...
---"You can pump at work every 2 to 3 hours"---
OR
---"Breast milk can be refrigerated for up to 4 hours"---
Which one seems most right to you? I thought the question/answers seemed ambiguous.
2) A woman at 33weeks calls the nurse because she is concerned she may be having unusual contractions. Best advice?
---"Lie on your left side and count the contractions. Call back in a hour if they haven't subsided"---
-OR-
---Drink some water, urinate, lie on you left side and count the contractions. Call in an hour if they haven't subsided"---
Any opinions, thoughts, ideas are MUCH appreciated!
Thanks!

#1 You can pump at work every 2 to 3 hours (breastmilk can be stored at room temp for 24 hours, in the fridge for a week, in a fridge's freeser for 3-4 months and in a deep freeze for 6 months.

#2 Drink some water, urinate, lie on you left side and count the contractions. Call in an hour if they haven't subsided. (this is the most complete answer as being dehydrated can cause irregular contractions, as can having a distended bladder. After these are done a contraction count is needed and they should have subdided in that hour's time not remained the same or increased).