On the first day after a cesarean section, a client who is a primipara is being assisted to the bathroom for the first time. The client experiences a sudden gush of vaginal blood and notices that several blood clots are in the toilet. Which action should the practical nurse (PN) take?

A. Insert an indwelling catheter to empty the bladder and contract the fundus: While bladder distention can contribute to uterine atony, inserting a catheter alone does not directly address the immediate concern of active bleeding. The priority is to stimulate uterine contraction to control hemorrhage. B. Return the client to bed and maintain bed rest until the lochial flow slows: Simply placing the client back in bed does not actively manage the bleeding. Postpartum hemorrhage requires prompt intervention to prevent hypovolemic complications. C. Massage the fundus and avoid direct pressure on the cesarean incision: Fundal massage promotes uterine contraction, which helps control excessive postpartum bleeding. Avoiding pressure on the incision protects the surgical site while effectively addressing the immediate risk of hemorrhage from uterine atony. D. Check fundal consistency and continue to monitor the lochial flow amount: Monitoring is important, but it is not the first action when a client presents with sudden gushes of blood and clots. Immediate fundal massage is necessary to stimulate contraction and reduce blood loss.