Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 87%
Full-length
A new mother experiences strong uterine contractions while breastfeeding her baby. She excitedly rings for the nurse. When the nurse arrives the mother tells her, 'Something is wrong. This is like my labor.' Which reply by the nurse identifies the physiological response of the client?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
Mammary growth as well as milk production and maintenance in the breast occur in response to hormones produced primarily by the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. Prolactin stimulates the alveolar cells of the breast to produce milk. It is important in the initiation of breast-feeding. Oxytocin, which is released by the posterior pituitary, stimulates the let-down reflex by contraction of the myoepithelial cells surrounding the alveoli. In addition, it causes contractions of the uterus and uterine involution. Afterpains may occur with retained placental fragments. A boggy uterus and continued bleeding are other symptoms that occur in response to retained placental fragments.