A nurse is assessing a client who is 3 days postpartum and is breastfeeding. The nurse notes that the fundus is three fingerbreadths below the umbilicus, lochia rubra is moderate, and the breasts are hard and warm to palpation. Which of the following interpretations of these findings should the nurse make?

Choice A reason:
Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter can be helpful in measuring urine output and reducing bladder distention, which may impede uterine contractions. However, it is not the immediate next step in managing postpartum hemorrhage.

Choice B reason:
Administering oxytocin by continuous IV infusion is a standard intervention to promote uterine contractions after delivery, which helps to control bleeding. However, before starting an oxytocin infusion, it is important to ensure that there are no retained placental fragments and that the uterus is not already well-contracted.

Choice C reason:
Massaging the client's fundus is the priority action because it can stimulate uterine contractions, which are essential for controlling postpartum bleeding. A firm, contracted uterus helps to compress the blood vessels and prevent excessive bleeding.

Choice D reason:
Tilting the client onto her right side with her legs elevated can help improve venous return and may be part of the management for shock. However, the immediate concern in a postpartum client with excessive bleeding is to manage the bleeding by promoting uterine contractions.

The correct answer is choice C. Dry, cracked skin.

Choice A rationale:

Increased subcutaneous fat is more commonly seen in full-term infants, but post-term infants (born after 42 weeks) often have decreased subcutaneous fat due to the aging placenta’s reduced efficiency in nutrient delivery.

Choice B rationale:

Scant scalp hair is typically seen in preterm infants. Post-term infants usually have more developed features, including more scalp hair.

Choice C rationale:

Dry, cracked skin is a common finding in post-term infants because the protective vernix caseosa, which covers the skin in utero, has often been shed by this stage. The prolonged exposure to amniotic fluid can lead to skin that appears dry, cracked, and peeling.

Choice D rationale:

Copious vernix is usually seen in preterm infants. By 42.5 weeks, most of the vernix has been absorbed or shed, leading to the dry skin observed in post-term infants.