RN Nursing · Postpartum Complications — Infection · Practice question
The nurse is providing education to postpartum clients about wound infections after cesarean section or perineal laceration repair. Which statements should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply)
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"Foul-smelling drainage from the incision or perineal area may indicate an infection."
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"Antibiotics may be prescribed if a wound infection develops"
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"A fever greater than 100.4°F (38°C) postpartum could be a sign of a wound infection."
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"Wound infections require immediate surgical intervention once diagnosed."
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"Good hand hygiene is important when caring for a cesarean incision or perineal stitches."
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"Keeping the incision site clean and dry can help prevent infection."
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"A wound infection may present with redness, swelling, and increased pain at the incision site."
Answer & explanation
Correct: "Foul-smelling drainage from the incision or perineal area may indicate an infection." · "Antibiotics may be prescribed if a wound infection develops" · "A fever greater than 100.4°F (38°C) postpartum could be a sign of a wound infection." · "Good hand hygiene is important when caring for a cesarean incision or perineal stitches." · "Keeping the incision site clean and dry can help prevent infection." · "A wound infection may present with redness, swelling, and increased pain at the incision site."
Education on postpartum wound infection following cesarean section or perineal laceration repair should address recognition, prevention, and management of infection. Foul-smelling drainage from the incision or perineal area is a classic sign of wound infection caused by bacterial colonization and should be reported promptly. Antibiotic therapy is the standard treatment for wound infections, so informing clients that antibiotics may be prescribed is accurate and appropriate. A fever greater than 100.4°F (38°C) in the postpartum period is a recognized indicator of possible infection, including wound infection, and warrants evaluation. Good hand hygiene before touching any wound site is a primary infection prevention measure that all postpartum clients should practice. Keeping the incision clean and dry limits bacterial growth and promotes healing, making this an essential prevention teaching point. Redness, swelling, and increased pain at the incision site are cardinal signs of wound infection and clients must recognize these to seek timely care. The statement that wound infections require immediate surgical intervention once diagnosed is incorrect and should not be included; most postpartum wound infections are managed conservatively with antibiotics, wound care, and drainage if needed — surgical intervention such as debridement is reserved for more severe or complex cases. This inaccurate option was appropriately excluded from the correct selections.
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