RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2020
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Easy

The duration of lochia serosa is:

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2020

Explanation

  • Lochia is the vaginal discharge that occurs after childbirth, progressing through three distinct stages.
  • Lochia serosa is the second stage, following lochia rubra and preceding lochia alba.
  • It is characterized by a pinkish or brownish color due to a decreased amount of blood and an increased amount of serum, leukocytes, and wound exudate.
  • The typical duration for lochia serosa is from approximately day 5 to day 9 postpartum.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option B: This duration (16-20 days) is too late for lochia serosa. It falls within the lochia alba phase, which is the final stage of postpartum discharge.
  • Option C: This duration (1-4 days) corresponds to lochia rubra, the first stage of postpartum discharge, which is characterized by its bright red, bloody appearance.
  • Option D: This duration (10-15 days) corresponds to lochia alba, the third and final stage of postpartum discharge, which is whitish or yellowish-white.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Stages and duration of postpartum lochia as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • Nurses must educate postpartum patients on the normal progression of lochia. This helps the patient distinguish between normal changes and signs of complications.
  • Assessment of lochia (color, amount, odor, and presence of clots) is a critical nursing intervention to monitor for postpartum hemorrhage and infection.
  • A foul odor is a significant sign of puerperal sepsis (postpartum infection) and must be reported immediately.
How to Approach the Question
  • Identify the keywords in the question: "duration" and "lochia serosa".
  • Recall the three stages of postpartum lochia in order: rubra, serosa, and alba.
  • Remember the typical timeframe for each stage.
  • Lochia rubra lasts for the first few days (1-4 days).
  • Lochia serosa follows, lasting until about the ninth day (5-9 days).
  • Lochia alba is the final stage, lasting from about day 10 up to several weeks.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Stages and duration of postpartum lochia
  • Stem keywords: duration, lochia serosa
  • Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE
  • Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

Q-Jpx0PXDDhTGuZ1cPxXPv

Reference Book

E6 Obstetrics Williams p. 45-63

E6 Midwifery Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing Sandeep Kaur p. 51-62

Practise the full RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2020

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.