A woman who delivered a 9 pound (4082 gram) baby boy by cesarean section (C-section) under spinal anesthesia is recovering in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). Her fundus is firm, at the umbilicus, and a continuous trickle of bright red blood with no clots from the vagina is observed by the nurse. Which action should the nurse implement?

Rationale: A. Let the infant breastfeed: Breastfeeding stimulates oxytocin release, which can promote uterine contraction and help prevent postpartum hemorrhage. While beneficial, it is not the first action when active bleeding is observed. B. Assess her blood pressure: Monitoring blood pressure is a priority when continuous bright red vaginal bleeding occurs after delivery. Assessing vital signs allows the nurse to determine the hemodynamic stability of the client and identify early signs of hypovolemic shock, guiding urgent interventions. C. Massage the fundus vigorously: The fundus is already firm at the umbilicus, indicating effective uterine contraction. Vigorous massage is unnecessary and may cause discomfort or trauma without addressing the source of bleeding. D. Apply ice pack to perineum: Ice packs are useful for perineal pain or swelling but do not control vaginal bleeding from uterine sources. This intervention does not address the priority concern of postpartum hemorrhage.