Maternity Nursing: Postpartum Q 45
The nurse is assessing the lochia on a 1 day PP patient. The nurse notes that the lochia is red and has a foul-smelling odor. The nurse determines that this assessment finding is:
A. Normal.
B. Indicates the presence of infection.
C. Indicates the need for increasing oral fluids.
D. Indicates the need for increasing ambulation.
Correct Answer: B. Indicates the presence of infection.
Lochia, the discharge present after birth, is red for the first 1 to 3 days and gradually decreases in amount. Foul-smelling or purulent lochia usually indicates infection, and these findings are not normal. The presence of an offensive odor or large pieces of tissue or blood clots in lochia or the absence of lochia might be a sign of infection.
Option A: Normal lochia has a fleshy odor. The lochia is the vaginal discharge that originates from the uterus, cervix, and vagina. The lochia is initially red and consists of blood and fragments of decidua, endometrial tissues, and mucus and lasts 1 to 4 days.
Option C: The lochia then changes color to yellowish or pale brown, lasting 5 to 9 days, and is composed mainly of blood, mucus, and leukocytes. Finally, the lochia is white and contains mostly mucus, lasting up to 10 to 14 days. The lochia can persist up to 5 weeks postpartum.
Option D: Encouraging the woman to drink fluids or increase ambulation is not an accurate nursing intervention. The lochia can persist up to 5 weeks postpartum. The cervix and vagina may be edematous and bruised in the early postpartum period and gradually heal back to normal.