Assignment 5: Maternal/Newborn Nursing Care Plan

Course Details

Course Code: NR-327

Course Title: Maternal-Child Nursing

University: Chamberlain University

Semester: Spring 2026

Level: Undergraduate (Year 2)

Assessment Weighting: 25%

Due Date: Week 7

Word Count: 1,000–1,500 words

Context

This assignment develops skills in applying the nursing process to maternal and newborn care, addressing physiological and psychosocial needs post-delivery. It aligns with standards for safe maternity practice, focusing on complications, health promotion, and family involvement. Students use case studies to plan holistic interventions in hospital or community settings.

Task Description

Create a comprehensive care plan for a postpartum mother and/or newborn from the provided case study (e.g., primipara post-vaginal delivery with perineal laceration, or newborn with breastfeeding difficulties). Include assessment data, at least three NANDA diagnoses, goals, interventions with rationales, and evaluation.

Requirements

• Select scenario: postpartum hemorrhage risk, cesarean recovery, or newborn jaundice.
• Incorporate maternal and newborn assessments (vitals, fundus, lochia, bonding, feeding).
• Use NANDA-I diagnoses; include family teaching and discharge planning.
• Support with at least four peer-reviewed sources from 2018-2026.
• Format in table for clarity: diagnosis, related to, goals, interventions, rationale, evaluation.
• Follow APA 7th edition; submit via platform.

Marking Criteria/Rubric

1. Assessment Data (20%): Comprehensive maternal/newborn findings; accurate and relevant.
2. Nursing Diagnoses (25%): Three prioritized NANDA diagnoses with evidence and related factors.
3. Goals and Interventions (30%): SMART goals; evidence-based, family-centered interventions with rationales.
4. Evaluation and Planning (15%): Measurable outcomes; discharge/teaching plan.
5. Academic Standards (10%): Structure, word count, APA, grammar.

Patient reported moderate perineal pain rated 6/10 after vaginal delivery with second-degree laceration, fundus firm at umbilicus level though lochia rubra heavy. Newborn latched poorly during initial breastfeeding attempts showing signs of ineffective suck. Diagnosis prioritized acute pain related to tissue trauma as evidenced by verbal report and guarding. Interventions applied ice packs intermittently and administered prescribed analgesics timely. Teaching demonstrated sitz baths for comfort promotion. Evaluation noted pain reduction to 3/10 within four hours allowing better mobility. As outlined by London et al. (2020), prompt pain management supports bonding and recovery in postpartum period. Follow-up assessed breastfeeding improvement daily.

• References

1. London, M. L., Ladewig, P. W., Davidson, M. R., Bindler, R. C., Ball, J. W., and Cowen, K. J. (2020) Maternal & child nursing care. 6th edn. Hoboken: Pearson. Available at: https://www.pearson.com/en-us/subject-catalog/p/maternal-child-nursing-care/P200000007311.
2. Ricci, S. S. (2021) Maternity and pediatric nursing. 4th edn. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer. Available at: https://shop.lww.com/Maternity-and-Pediatric-Nursing/p/9781975139766.
3. Perry, S. E., Hockenberry, M. J., Alden, K. R., Lowdermilk, D. L., Cashion, M. C., and Wilson, D. (2022) Maternal child nursing care. 7th edn. St. Louis: Elsevier. Available at: https://www.elsevier.com/books/maternal-child-nursing-care/perry/978-0-323-77771-1.
4. Davidson, M. R., London, M. L., and Ladewig, P. W. (2019) Old’s maternal-newborn nursing & women’s health across the lifespan. 11th edn. Hoboken: Pearson. Available at: https://www.pearson.com/en-us/subject-catalog/p/olds-maternal-newborn-nursing-womens-health-across-the-lifespan/P200000006653.