A client, who is three days postpartum and formula feeding her newborn, reports experiencing painful, hard, and full breasts to the nurse.
What recommendation should the nurse provide?

Choice A rationale

While monitoring the client’s vital signs is an important part of postpartum care, it would not directly address the issue of a boggy uterus that is displaced above and to the right of the umbilicus.

Choice B rationale

Notifying the healthcare provider is important, but it would not be the first action to take. The nurse should first attempt to address the issue.

Choice C rationale

Inspecting the perineal pad could provide information about the client’s postpartum bleeding, but it would not directly address the issue of a boggy uterus that is displaced above and to the right of the umbilicus.

Choice D rationale

Encouraging the client to void is the correct action. A full bladder can displace the uterus, preventing it from contracting properly. By emptying the bladder, the uterus may be able to contract and return to its normal position.

Choice A rationale

While the estimated amount of fluid can provide some information about the volume of amniotic fluid lost, it is not the most critical piece of information. The amount of fluid can vary and does not necessarily indicate the progression of labor.

Choice B rationale

Any odor noted when the membranes ruptured can be a sign of infection. However, this is not the most crucial information to obtain immediately as it does not directly impact the management of labor.

Choice C rationale

The time the membranes ruptured is the most important information to obtain. This is because the risk of infection increases the longer the time between membrane rupture and delivery.

Knowing the time of rupture helps guide decisions about inducing labor and administering antibiotics to prevent infection.

Choice D rationale

The color and consistency of the fluid can provide information about the presence of meconium or blood, which could indicate fetal distress or placental problems. However, this is not the most critical information to obtain immediately.