CNM Certified Nurse Midwife

Answer: C - Vaginal bleeding with red and foul-smelling lochia indicates that the client is most likely experiencing puerperal infection. Hemorrhage is defined as losing more than 500 mL of blood within 24 hours. It is estimated that each perineal pad can hold as much as 50 mL of blood. A slight increase in body temperature is expected within the first 24 hours after birth because of dehydration.