What should a nurse do if a postpartum client has saturated a menstrual pad within 15 minutes?

The correct response is to remove the menstrual pad and replace it with two pads. In the postpartum period, significant bleeding known as lochia is expected, but saturating a pad within 15 minutes is a sign of potential excessive bleeding or hemorrhage. This can be a serious condition that requires timely action to ensure the safety and health of the client.

Replacing the saturated pad with two pads serves a dual purpose: it helps absorb the blood more effectively and allows the healthcare provider to monitor the amount of bleeding more accurately. If the client continues to bleed at this rate, it may indicate the need for immediate medical intervention, such as contacting the attending physician or taking other necessary actions based on the clinical assessment.

Normal postpartum bleeding typically should not saturate a pad at such a rapid rate, so indicating that the nurse should do nothing or deciding to take a passive approach, like placing the client in a modified Sim's position, would not appropriately address the potential risk of hemorrhaging. Instead, taking an active step in monitoring and managing the situation is critical for the patient's well-being.