Nursing Interventions for Lochia
Nursing Interventions for Lochia ( 12 Questions)
A nurse is assessing the amount, color, odor, consistency, and presence of clots or tissue in the lochia of a postpartum client.
Which of the following findings should the nurse report as abnormal?
lochia rubra, which is dark or bright red blood, is normal for the first three to four days after birth.
lochia serosa, which is pinkish brown discharge that’s less bloody looking, is normal for four to 12 days after birth.
lochia alba, which is yellowish white discharge with little to no blood, is normal from about 12 days to six weeks after birth.
Normal ranges for lochia are:
• Lochia rubra: lasts for three to four days, flows like a heavy period, small clots are normal.
• Lochia serosa: lasts for four to 12 days, flow is moderate, less clotting or no clots.
• Lochia alba: lasts from about 12 days to six weeks, light flow or spotting, no clots.
Large clots on day 3 postpartum. This is because large clots indicate excessive bleeding and may be a sign of postpartum hemorrhage, which is a rare but potentially fatal condition that requires immediate medical attention.
The correct answer is choice D. Large clots on day 3 postpartum. This is because large clots indicate excessive bleeding and may be a sign of postpartum hemorrhage, which is a rare but potentially fatal condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Choice A is wrong because lochia rubra, which is dark or bright red blood, is normal for the first three to four days after birth.
Choice B is wrong because lochia serosa, which is pinkish brown discharge that’s less bloody looking, is normal for four to 12 days after birth.
Choice C is wrong because lochia alba, which is yellowish white discharge with little to no blood, is normal from about 12 days to six weeks after birth.
Normal ranges for lochia are:
• Lochia rubra: lasts for three to four days, flows like a heavy period, small clots are normal.
• Lochia serosa: lasts for four to 12 days, flow is moderate, less clotting or no clots.
• Lochia alba: lasts from about 12 days to six weeks, light flow or spotting, no clots.