Editing Maternal and Newborn Nursing – LPN Practice Questions (section)

==Question 2==
An LPN is collecting data on a client who is 3 days postpartum. Which finding should the LPN report to the registered nurse?
# Pinkish-brown vaginal discharge with a fleshy odor
# Dark red vaginal discharge with a strong foul odor
# Temperature of 99.2 degrees F (37.3 degrees C)
# Pulse of 62 beats per minute

'''Answer:''' 2 (B). Dark red vaginal discharge with a strong foul odor.

''Rationale:'' A '''foul odor''' to lochia suggests endometritis and is always reported. In addition, lochia rubra normally transitions to lochia serosa by about day 4, so still-dark-red flow on day 3 combined with a foul smell is doubly concerning. Option 1 describes lochia serosa with its normal fleshy or musty odor, which is expected around day 3 to 4. Option 3 is within normal limits; a temperature of 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C) or higher on two occasions after the first 24 hours is the reportable threshold. Option 4 is expected, because postpartum bradycardia of 50 to 70 beats per minute is normal; '''tachycardia''' would be the warning sign.