Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 63%
Simulated
The nurse teaches a postpartum client about postdelivery lochia. The nurse determines that the education has been effective when the client says that on the second day postpartum, the lochia should be which color?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
The uterus rids itself of the debris that remains after birth through a discharge called lochia, which is classified according to its appearance and contents. Lochia rubra is dark red in color. It occurs from delivery to 3 days postpartum and contains epithelial cells, erythrocytes, leukocytes, shreds of decidua, and occasionally fetal meconium, lanugo, and vernix caseosa. Lochia serosa is a brownish pink discharge that occurs from days 4 to 10. Lochia alba is a white discharge that occurs from days 10 to 14. Lochia should not be yellow or contain large clots; if it does, the cause should be investigated without delay.