Final answer:
Bright red lochia with small clots observed by a nurse on the 2nd postpartum day is typically considered a normal finding. It is part of the early postpartum recovery where lochia rubra lasts for about 2-3 days. This condition does not necessarily indicate infection or complications like uterine atony unless accompanied by heavy bleeding or foul odor.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse performing a fundal assessment on the 2nd postpartum day who notes the pad to be saturated with about 12 cm of bright red lochia containing small clots is observing findings that can be considered normal for the early postpartum period. Lochia rubra, which is the bright red discharge composed of uterine lining cells, erythrocytes, leukocytes, and other debris, typically lasts for 2-3 days following childbirth. During this time, it is common to see small clots and moderate to heavy bleeding, similar to a menstrual period.
However, if the lochia were foul-smelling, accompanied by fever, or the bleeding excessively heavy (saturating a pad within an hour), this could indicate either an infection or a possible complication like uterine atony, which is the failure of the uterus to contract properly after delivery. In this case, since the findings of the bright red lochia with small clots are typical for only the second postpartum day, and there is no mention of excessive blood loss or foul odor, they are likely within normal limits.