A postpartum client with a foul odor in lochia and a temperature of 102.2° F is suspected of having an infection. What should the nurse implement first?

In the scenario presented, the immediate priority is to obtain a culture and sensitivity of the lochia. This action is essential because it allows for the identification of the specific pathogens present, which informs the appropriate selection of antibiotics. Since the client has a foul odor in her lochia and an elevated temperature, these signs suggest a possible infection, and timely collection of the culture before initiating antibiotics is crucial for accurate diagnosis.

Administering antibiotics without first obtaining a culture could lead to premature treatment, potentially decreasing the effectiveness of the culture results or altering the bacteria present, making it more challenging to determine the causative agent later. While increasing oral fluid intake may be beneficial for overall hydration and recovery, it does not directly address the potential infection. Notifying the physician is important, but the first actionable step regarding the client's infection should be to gather the necessary diagnostic information through a culture. Doing so enables a more targeted and effective treatment plan based on the identified organism.