A nurse assisting with the plan of care for a client who is postpartum. Which of the following strategies should the nurse include in the plan to prevent bladder distention?

• A. Administer a diuretic
• B. Run water in the sink while the client sits on the toilet
• C. Massage the abdomen to stimulate voiding
• D. Place the client on her side to ambulate

Answer: (B)

Promoting timely voiding after birth relies on triggering the voiding reflex with a simple, noninvasive cue. Running water in the sink while the client sits on the toilet provides auditory and tactile stimulation that encourages urination, helping to empty the bladder and prevent distention. This approach is safe, quick, and effective for postpartum bladder management.

Giving a diuretic isn’t a routine postpartum measure for preventing distention and can cause unnecessary fluid and electrolyte shifts, plus it may affect lactation. Massaging the abdomen to stimulate voiding isn’t a standard or reliable technique and can risk discomfort or unintended uterine stimulation. Simply placing the client on her side to ambulate doesn’t directly promote voiding and isn’t as targeted a method for preventing bladder distention.