Stages Of Labor VI
Maternity
Lochia Assessment
Lochia is the discharge after birth from the sloughing off of the inner lining of the uterus.
Lochia should become LIGHTER in COLOR and AMOUNT with each passing postpartum day,
It's going to start out heavy and red (rubra), then go pink/brown (serosa), & finally return to white/clear (alba).
Color
It lasts...
Normal
3 Stages of Lochia
RUBRA
Dark red
3 - 4 days
SEROSA
Pinkish brown
4 - 10 days
ALBA
Whitish yellow
10 - 28 days
Lochia Rubra:
Bright red flow (3 - 4 days)
* Small clots are expected
Lochia Serosa:
Pink-brown (4-10 days)
Lochia Alba:
White-yellow (10-28 days)
Notify the provider
Large clots!
Malodorous “Foul odor”
Excessive bleeding:
1 pad in 15 minutes
Check under the client for
pooled lochia
ATI Questions
Kaplan Question
Q1: The nurse is assessing a … client who
delivered a baby 3 days ago. When
assessing for lochia, the nurse notes
pink discharge with a serosanguinous
consistency. This is best described as:
… client gave birth three hours ago… a
sudden gush of blood from the vagina while
ambulating. Which is the most likely cause
of the bleeding?
Lochia has pooled in the client’s vagina
Lochia serosa
3 days
Lochia serosa
Q2: a client … 6 weeks postpartum. Which
of the following findings is normal for
this client?
Creamy colored discharge with
a fleshy odor
Peri-care
Cleaning
6 weeks
ATI
1. Squeeze bottle with warm water
ATI Question
2. Wipe front to back
3. Blot perineum dry
… a client who has an episiotomy
… proper perineal care?
Pain
Use a squeeze bottle with
warm water to keep the site
clean
1. Sitz baths
2.
3.
4.
5.
NOT Normal
Ice packs
Pharm: Opioids & NSAIDS
Topical witch hazel
Laxatives & stool softeners
(prevent constipation)
HESI Question
Which medication is appropriate
for a postpartum client with
perineal lacerations ...
now experiencing constipation?
Warm water
Opioids
NSAIDs
Laxatives
Notes
Warm water