While performing a physical assessment of a newborn boy, the nurse notes diffuse edema of the soft tissues of his scalp that crosses suture lines. The nurse documents this finding as:

A. "It is possible that your baby experienced birth trauma that has caused some bleeding." While birth trauma can cause bleeding, it is not the most common cause of a small blood-tinged area in a newborn's diaper, particularly in female infants. Trauma-related bleeding would typically be more noticeable or involve more significant injury.

B. "Your baby has an infection that will need to be evaluated by the physician." This statement is unlikely, as the presence of a small amount of blood-tinged discharge in a newborn’s diaper is not typically a sign of infection. Infection would present with other symptoms, such as fever, irritability, or abnormal discharge.

C. "Breastfed babies often experience this type of bleeding problem due to lack of Vitamin K in the mother's milk." This is incorrect. Newborns are given a Vitamin K injection shortly after birth to prevent bleeding issues (such as Vitamin K deficiency bleeding). Lack of Vitamin K in the mother's milk is not a cause of blood-tinged discharge in female infants.

D. "Some female infants experience menstruation-like symptoms as a result of the mother's hormones." This is the correct response. A small amount of blood-tinged vaginal discharge (often described as pseudomenstruation) in female newborns is common and occurs due to the influence of the mother's hormones (mainly estrogen) passed to the baby in utero. It typically resolves within a few days to weeks and is considered a normal physiological response.

A. Saturated with clots and mucus is not typical of lochia in either vaginal or cesarean births unless there is excessive bleeding or other complications. While clots are normal in the early days postpartum, lochia should not be saturated with them in a healthy postpartum recovery.

B. About the same as after a vaginal birth is incorrect because lochia after a cesarean birth tends to be less due to the surgical procedure. The uterus does not expel as much tissue or blood from the vaginal canal as in a vaginal delivery.

C. Greater than after a vaginal birth is incorrect. Although there is a possibility of more bleeding initially from the incision site in a cesarean birth, the amount of lochia is typically less due to the nature of the surgical delivery.

D. Less than after a vaginal birth is correct. After a cesarean birth, the lochia typically is less because the surgical delivery method does not involve the same physical exertion or vaginal tearing that occurs with a vaginal birth. Additionally, the surgical incision prevents some of the natural expulsion of blood and tissue.