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Difficulty: EasyAnte/Intra/Postpartum and Newborn Care

A practical nurse (PN) is reinforcing discharge instructions for a client who is 72 hours postpartum following a vaginal delivery. Which statement by the client indicates an accurate understanding of the expected changes in lochia?

  1. "My vaginal discharge should transition to a pinkish-brown color within the next few days."Answer
  2. B
    "I should continue to have bright red bleeding with large clots for at least two weeks."
  3. C
    "My bleeding will completely stop by the end of my first week at home."
  4. D
    "I need to contact my provider immediately when the discharge becomes yellowish-white."

Answer

The statement describing the transition to a pinkish-brown color within the next few days indicates a correct understanding.
The correct statement accurately reflects the normal physiological progression of postpartum bleeding. After the initial 3 days of dark red bleeding (lochia rubra), the discharge typically transitions to a pinkish-brown color (lochia serosa), which lasts from approximately day 4 to day 10.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the client's specific postpartum timeline.
The client is 72 hours (3 days) postpartum, which typically marks the end of the initial lochia rubra phase.
Accurate assessment of lochia depends directly on the number of days since delivery.
2
Recall the normal physiological progression of lochia.
Lochia rubra (dark red) occurs from days 1 to 3. Lochia serosa (pinkish-brown) occurs from days 4 to 10. Lochia alba (yellowish-white) occurs from days 11 to 21 or longer.
Understanding this expected sequence is necessary to evaluate the client's statements for accuracy.
3
Evaluate each client statement against these normal expectations.
The statement about discharge becoming pinkish-brown perfectly describes the expected onset of lochia serosa.
This confirms the client has successfully understood the reinforced discharge instructions regarding normal healing.

Key Concept

Normal progression of postpartum lochia
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Topics

Ante/Intra/Postpartum and Newborn Care

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