What should a nurse remind clients to recognize as a warning sign of complication after a suction and curettage procedure?

Bleeding requiring a pad change every 2 hours is a significant warning sign of a complication after a suction and curettage (D&C) procedure. This level of bleeding can indicate that the uterus is not properly contracting or that there may be retained products of conception or other issues leading to hemorrhage. In a normal recovery, patients might experience mild abdominal pain or light spotting, which are common and typically not alarming. However, heavy bleeding, defined here as needing to change a pad every two hours, suggests the potential for serious complications such as uterine perforation or infection.

Low-grade fever might also be a sign of complication following such a procedure, indicating possible infection or retained tissue, but is typically less immediate than severe bleeding in terms of assessing the urgency of medical intervention. Thus, the advice to monitor for significant bleeding aligns with the critical observation standards nurses expect post-procedure to ensure patient safety and address complications promptly.