A nurse is caring for a client who is 7 days postpartum and calls the clinic to report pain and redness of her left calf. Besides seeing her provider, which of the following interventions should the nurse suggest?

A. Flex her knee while resting: Flexing the knee repeatedly can increase venous stasis and may worsen symptoms if a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is present. It is not recommended in suspected thromboembolic events. B. Massage the area: Massaging a calf with pain and redness in the postpartum period can dislodge a thrombus and cause a potentially life-threatening pulmonary embolism. This intervention is contraindicated. C. Elevate her leg: Elevating the affected leg promotes venous return, reduces swelling, and can help alleviate discomfort. It is a safe supportive measure while awaiting evaluation by a healthcare provider. D. Apply cold compress: Cold compresses are generally used for acute inflammation or trauma. In suspected DVT, cold application does not address the underlying venous obstruction and is not a priority intervention.