The nurse is reviewing charts of clients who underwent cesarean births by request in the last two years. The hospital is attempting to decrease costs of maternity care

Question

What findings contribute to increased health care costs in clients undergoing cesarean birth by request? 1. Increased abnormal placenta implantation in subsequent pregnancies
2. Decreased use of general anesthesia with greater use of epidural anesthesia
3. Prolonged anemia, requiring blood transfusions every few months
4. Coordination of career projects of both partners leading to increased income

Answer 1

1
Rationale 1: Placenta implantation problems are more common after cesarean birth, and increase health care costs because of the high risk care and testing required.
Rationale 2: Which anesthesia method is used is not a significant factor in health care costs of cesarean birth by request. The need for anesthesia, use of the operating suite, equipment use, personnel, and other factors are more responsible for greater costs of cesarean birth compared with vaginal birth.
Rationale 3: This is not a complication of cesarean birth by request.
Rationale 4: The income of the couple does not affect health care costs directly.