Final answer:
Involution is the process by which the postpartum patient's uterus returns to a pregravid state. Uterine contractions and breastfeeding facilitate this process.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse describes the return of the postpartum patient's uterus to a pregravid state as involution. After birth, the uterus undergoes contractions to decrease in size and return to its pre-pregnancy state. This process allows the mother's abdominal organs to also return to their pre-pregnancy locations.
Example: Breastfeeding facilitates the process of involution by stimulating the release of oxytocin, which promotes uterine contractions.