The teaching plan for a postpartum client who is about to be discharged should include...

The vaginal discharge after birth is called lochia, and it changes from red (rubra) to serosa (clear) on the third postpartum day. If it returns to red or contains clots, it could signal impending hemorrhage or infection and the physician should be notified. It is not normal for the breasts to be tender. If the breasts become engorged, they might be tender and the mother might need to be given additional instructions on breast care. Tenderness, redness, and fatigue are clinical manifestations of mastitis and should be reported to the physician. A woman should void in normal patterns and frequency after birth. Increased frequency is a sign of a urinary tract infection and should be reported to the physician. By the time of discharge, the woman’s temperature should be normal. Elevations should be reported to the physician.Health Promotion and Maintenance