On the first day after a cesarean section, a client who is a primipara is being assisted to the bathroom for the first time. The client experiences a sudden gush of vaginal blood and notices that several blood clots are in the toilet. Which action should the practical nurse (PN) take?

1. A 12-year-old child with a history of asthma is wheezing and complaining of shortness of breath. Wheezing and shortness of breath indicate respiratory distress, which can be a medical emergency for a child with asthma. Prompt intervention and assessment of the child's respiratory status are crucial.
2. A 7-year-old child who has type 1 diabetes mellitus is experiencing extreme hunger and shakiness. These symptoms may indicate hypoglycemia, which requires immediate attention to prevent further complications. The PN should assess the child's blood glucose levels and provide appropriate treatment.
3. A 10-year-old child with bleeding lacerations on both knees after falling on the playground. While bleeding lacerations require attention, they are not immediately life-threatening or likely to cause severe complications. However, the PN should still address this child's injuries promptly and provide appropriate wound care.
4. A 5-year-old child is crying uncontrollably because of an incontinent bowel episode. While the child's distress is significant, it does not indicate an immediate life-threatening condition or urgent medical need. The PN should provide comfort, and reassurance, and assist with appropriate hygiene measures for the child.

Prioritizing care in this order ensures that the most urgent and potentially life-threatening conditions are addressed first, followed by those requiring immediate attention but with a lower risk of complications. Finally, the PN can attend to the client with a condition that, while distressing, is not immediately life-threatening or urgent.

The client's complaint of a leg cramp suggests the possibility of a muscle cramp or spasm, which is a common occurrence during labor. Extending the leg and flexing the foot helps stretch and relax the affected muscle, which can alleviate the cramp. This intervention helps relieve the muscle spasm and promotes increased blood circulation to the area, potentially reducing the intensity and duration of the cramp.
A. Elevating the leg above the heart is not necessary for relieving a leg cramp. It may be helpful in certain situations, such as in the case of venous insufficiency or swelling, but it is not the First-line intervention for a leg cramp.

B. Massaging the calf and foot can be beneficial in relieving a leg cramp. However, the initial action should be to extend the leg and flex the foot to actively stretch the affected muscle. If the cramp persists or if additional comfort measures are needed, then the PN may consider massaging the calf and foot.
D. Checking the pedal pulse in the affected leg is not directly related to relieving a leg cramp. It may be a relevant assessment in certain situations, such as suspected circulatory compromise or deep vein thrombosis, but it is not the primary intervention for a leg cramp.