Fundus Focus
Lochia Levels
Nursing Actions
Abnormal Alerts
Teach Me Tricks
100

This is where the fundus should be located immediately after birth.

What is midline and at the level of the umbilicus?

100

This type of lochia is expected in the first 1–3 days postpartum.

What is lochia rubra?

100

After emptying the bladder, I should reassess this.

What is the fundal position?

100

A uterus that feels boggy may lead to this complication.

What is postpartum hemorrhage?

100

A fun trick to remember the lochia order is this.

What is "Rub Some Aloe" – Rubra, Serosa, Alba?

200

If the bladder is full, the fundus may shift in this direction.

What is laterally (usually to the right)?

200

Lochia serosa is what color?

What is pink or brown?

200

I chart a scant amount of lochia when the pad has this much blood.

What is less than 2.5 cm (1 inch)?

200

This is a sign that lochia may be infected.

What is a foul odor?

200

Teach the client that lochia should never smell like this.

What is fishy or foul?

300

A “boggy” fundus feels like this.

What is soft and spongy instead of firm?

300

This final stage of lochia is white or yellow-white in appearance.

What is lochia alba?

300

If excessive lochia is observed, I do this immediately.

What is notify the provider and assess for hemorrhage?

300

The uterus should descend how much per day?

What is approximately 1 cm per day?

300

A firm, midline uterus means this about postpartum bleeding.

What is bleeding should be controlled?

400

This is the first step a nurse takes if the fundus is boggy.

What is perform fundal massage?

400

A lochia odor that smells like this should be reported.

What is foul or malodorous?

400

A saturated pad within this time frame is considered abnormal.

What is less than 1 hour?

400

If lochia increases suddenly after being scant, I should suspect this.

What is retained placental fragments?

400

When teaching fundal massage, I explain it feels like this.

What is a firm grapefruit or softball under the skin?

500

Every postpartum shift, I check the fundus for these two characteristics.

What are position and firmness?

500

Lochia is assessed for these 4 characteristics.

What are color, amount, odor, and consistency?

500

To prevent uterine displacement, I encourage the client to do this often.

What is void regularly?

500

A displaced uterus and heavy bleeding usually indicate this underlying issue.

What is a full bladder?

500

I teach that lochia can last for this long postpartum.

What is up to 6 weeks (especially alba)?