Two days ago, a woman gave birth to a full-term infant. Last night, she awakened several times to urinate and noted that her gown and bedding were wet from profuse diaphoresis

Question

One mechanism for the diaphoresis and diuresis that this woman is experiencing during the early postpartum period is a. Elevated temperature caused by postpartum infection
b. Increased basal metabolic rate after giving birth
c. Loss of increased blood volume associated with pregnancy
d. Increased venous pressure in the lower extremities

Answer 1

C
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A An elevated temperature causes chills and may cause dehydration, not
diaphoresis and diuresis.
B Diaphoresis and diuresis sometimes are referred to as reversal of the water
metabolism of pregnancy, not as the basal metabolic rate.
C Within 12 hours of birth, women begin to lose the excess tissue fluid that has
accumulated during pregnancy. One mechanism for reducing these retained
fluids is the profuse diaphoresis that often occurs, especially at night, for the first
2 or 3 days after childbirth. Postpartal diuresis is another mechanism by which
the body rids itself of excess fluid.
D Postpartal diuresis may be caused by the removal of increased venous pressure in
the lower extremities.