What immediate action should a nurse take 30 minutes after the birth of a postpartum client with excessive lochia?

After the birth of a postpartum client experiencing excessive lochia, the most immediate and crucial action for the nurse to take is to massage the uterus. This intervention is essential because a firm and contracted uterus helps to control bleeding. If the uterus is not contracted, it can lead to uterine atony, which is a primary cause of postpartum hemorrhage. By massaging the uterus, the nurse promotes contraction and can significantly reduce the amount of lochia and the risk of complications.

While checking vital signs, notifying the practitioner, and elevating the foot of the bed are important components of postpartum care, they do not directly address the immediate concern of excessive lochia. Vital signs provide useful information about the client’s overall state but will not actively mitigate bleeding. Notifying the practitioner is necessary, but it typically follows initial interventions like uterine massage. Elevating the foot of the bed may help in certain clinical situations but is not a primary action to take in response to excessive bleeding. Prioritizing uterine massage directly targets the problem and is a fundamental nursing intervention in postpartum care.