10 - COMPLICATIONS AFTER BIRTH: Key Terms

Question 1

A lack of muscle tone or strength

Answer 1

atony

Question 2

Scraping of vacuuming the inner surface of the uterus

Answer 2

curettage

Question 3

An inflammation or infection of the uterine lining, usually from bacterial invasion

Answer 3

endometritis

Question 4

A collection of blood within the tissues

Answer 4

hematoma

Question 5

Occurs when the volume of blood is depleted and cannot fill the circulatory system. The woman can die if blood loss does not stop and if the blood volume is not corrected.

Answer 5

hypovolemic shock

Question 6

Rolling or turning inward; reduction in the size of the uterus after delivery

Answer 6

involution

Question 7

hyperactivity, excitability, euphoria, and feeling of being invulnerable

Answer 7

mania

Question 8

A disorder characterized by episodes of mania and depression

Answer 8

bipolar disorder

Question 9

A disorder characterized by deep feelings of worthlessness and guilt, serious sleep and appetite disturbances, and sometimes delusions about the infant being dead

Answer 9

major depression

Question 10

An infection of the breast; occurs when organisms from the skin or infant’s mouth enter small cracks in the nipples or areolae

Answer 10

mastitis

Question 11

A pervasive and sustained emotion that can color one’s view of life

Answer 11

mood

Question 12

Involves serious impairment of one’s perception of reality

Answer 12

psychosis

Question 13

Postpartum fever; a temperature of 38C or higher after the first 24h and continuing for at least 2 days during the first 10 days after delivery

Answer 13

puerperal morbidity

Question 14

Infection or septicemia after childbirth

Answer 14

peurperal sepsis

Question 15

A slower-than-expected return of the uterus to its non-pregnant condition. Infection and retained placenta are the usual causes

Answer 15

subinvolution

Question 16

A condition in which the cardiovascular system fails to provide essential oxygen and nutrients to the cells

Answer 16

shock

Question 17

__ shock is caused by pulmonary embolism, anemia, HTN, or cardiac disorders

Answer 17

Cardiogenic shock

Question 18

__ shock is caused by postpartum hemorrhage or blood clotting disorders

Answer 18

Hypovolemic shock

Question 19

__ shock is caused by allergic responses to drugs administered

Answer 19

Anaphylactic shock

Question 20

__ shock is caused by puerperal infection

Answer 20

Septic shock

Question 21

Blood loss > 500 mL after vaginal birth, or 1000 mL after cesarean birth, resulting in signs of symptoms of hypovolemia

Answer 21

hemorrhage

Question 22

__ occurs after hemorrhage because of the erythrocytes that are lost

Answer 22

anemia

Question 23

Involves the saphenous vein of the lower leg and is characterized by a painful, hard, reddened, warm vein that is easily seen

Answer 23

superficial venous thrombosis (SVT)

Question 24

Can involve veins from the feet to the femoral area and is characterized by pain, calf tenderness, leg edema, color changes, pain when walking, and sometimes a positive Homan’ sign

Answer 24

deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Question 25

Pain when the foot is dorsiflexed

Answer 25

Homans’ sign

Question 26

Occurs when the pulmonary artery is obstructed by a blood clot that breaks off and lodges in the lungs

Answer 26

pulmonary embolism (PE)

Question 27

SVT

Answer 27

superficial venous thrombosis

Question 28

DVT

Answer 28

deep vein thrombosis

Question 29

PE

Answer 29

pulmonary embolism