A nurse is preparing to assess the uterine fundus of a client in the immediate postpartum period.When the nurse locates the fundus, she notes that the uterus feels soft and boggy at midline.Which of the following nursing interventions would be most appropriate initially?

Choice A rationaleElevating the mother's legs may help with venous return and circulation, but it does not directly address a soft and boggy uterus, which indicates uterine atony and a risk for hemorrhage. The immediate priority is to promote uterine contraction.Choice B rationaleA soft and boggy uterus indicates uterine atony, a primary cause of postpartum hemorrhage. Massaging the fundus stimulates the uterine muscles to contract, which helps to compress the blood vessels at the placental site and reduce bleeding. This is the most appropriate initial intervention to address uterine atony.Choice C rationaleEncouraging the mother to void is important in the postpartum period as a full bladder can displace the uterus and interfere with its ability to contract. However, in the presence of a soft and boggy uterus, the immediate priority is to directly stimulate uterine contraction through fundal massage before addressing bladder emptying.Choice D rationalePushing on the uterus to express clots without first ensuring the uterus is firm is contraindicated. A soft, atonic uterus is more susceptible to inversion if pressure is applied. Fundal massage should be performed first to encourage uterine contraction and firmness before attempting to express any clots.