The nurse is providing care to a patient 2 hours after a cesarean section. In the hand-off report, the preceding nurse indicated that the patient's lochia was scant rubra. On initial assessment, the oncoming nurse notes the patient's peripad is saturated with lochia rubra immediately after breastfeeding her infant. What is the nurse's priority action with this finding?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The lochia of the cesarean mother will go through the same phases as that of the woman who had a vaginal birth, but the amount will be reduced. The finding of a saturated pad is abnormal, even after breastfeeding, and a sign of hemorrhage; the health care provider needs to be notified immediately. Weighing the peripad will give an estimation of the blood loss, but this assessment can result in a delay of care. Replacing the peripad and documentation of the findings are appropriate when the data are within normal limits.

The Nurse Is Providing Care to a Patient 2 Hours