Maternity NCLEX Questions Related

Review Maternity NCLEX Questions related questions and content

The postpartum client, who is 24 hours post—cesarean section, tells the nurse that she has much less lochial discharge after this birth than with her vaginal birth 2 years ago. The client asks if this is normal after a cesarean birth. Which statement should be the basis for the nurse’s response?

  • A. A decrease in her lochia is not expected; further assessment is needed.
  • B. Women usually have increased lochial discharge after cesarean births.
  • C. Women normally have less lochial discharge after a cesarean birth.
  • D. The lochia amount depends on whether surgery was emergent or planned.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A decrease in lochia is expected after a cesarean birth; no further assessment is needed regarding the lochial amount unless it is totally absent. A decrease in lochia is expected after a cesarean birth, not an increase. The client’s lochial discharge is usually decreased after cesarean birth because the uterus is cleaned during surgery. The amount of lochia is not dependent on whether the surgery was emergent or planned because the uterus is cleaned during surgery in both situations.