Which symptom is a cardinal sign indicating postpartum endometritis?

Prepare for the NCLEX OB Postpartum Exam with our interactive questions and detailed explanations. Enhance your understanding of postpartum care and increase your chances of passing. Start practicing today!

Multiple Choice

Which symptom is a cardinal sign indicating postpartum endometritis?

Explanation:
Postpartum endometritis is an infection of the uterine lining after delivery, and fever is the hallmark sign because it shows the body's systemic response to infection. In the postpartum period, a new or sustained fever signals that the uterus may be inflamed or infected, often accompanied by uterine tenderness and foul-smelling lochia, with possible tachycardia. The other options—hypertension, headache, and muscle cramps—are not typical indicators of a uterine infection and point to different conditions or nonspecific issues. Therefore, fever is the best clue that postpartum endometritis may be present.

Postpartum endometritis is an infection of the uterine lining after delivery, and fever is the hallmark sign because it shows the body's systemic response to infection. In the postpartum period, a new or sustained fever signals that the uterus may be inflamed or infected, often accompanied by uterine tenderness and foul-smelling lochia, with possible tachycardia. The other options—hypertension, headache, and muscle cramps—are not typical indicators of a uterine infection and point to different conditions or nonspecific issues. Therefore, fever is the best clue that postpartum endometritis may be present.

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