The nurse is making a home visit three weeks postpartum. The nurse suspects the client is experiencing postpartum depression when she makes which of the following statements?

Choice A rationale

Uterine prolapse involves the descent of the uterus into the vaginal canal and is not a direct fatal complication of postpartum hemorrhage. It primarily stems from weakened pelvic floor muscles or ligament damage.

Choice B rationale

Von Willebrand’s disease is a hereditary bleeding disorder related to factor VIII and von Willebrand factor deficiencies, predisposing individuals to bleeding. It is not a direct result of prolonged postpartum hemorrhage.

Choice C rationale

Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder associated with proteinuria and organ dysfunction during pregnancy, not a postpartum hemorrhage complication. It can lead to significant morbidity but is unrelated to hemorrhagic complications.

Choice D rationale

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) is a life-threatening condition involving widespread coagulation and fibrinolysis, leading to uncontrolled bleeding, often triggered by severe postpartum hemorrhage. Laboratory findings may include low platelets, prolonged PT/INR, and elevated D-dimer.

Choice A rationale

A soft fundus indicates uterine atony, an abnormal finding requiring immediate intervention. This teaching would lead to improper patient monitoring of complications such as hemorrhage.

Choice B rationale

Clots as large as a golf ball are not considered normal and may signal uterine atony or retained placental fragments, which necessitate medical intervention for hemorrhage risk.

Choice C rationale

Decreased brownish-red lochia may reflect normal postpartum changes as it progresses to serosa and alba but is not typically an indicator of complications.

Choice D rationale

Increased lochia or a return to bright red bleeding signals potential complications like subinvolution or late postpartum hemorrhage, which demand prompt medical attention.