What action should the nurse implement to decrease the client's risk for hemorrhage after a cesarean section?

Assessing the firmness of the uterus every 15 minutes is crucial in reducing the risk of hemorrhage after a cesarean section. This practice allows the nurse to monitor the uterine tone, which is vital in identifying early signs of uterine atony, a common cause of postpartum hemorrhage. A firm uterus indicates that it is adequately contracting, which helps to compress the blood vessels at the placental site and prevents excessive bleeding.

Regularly checking for uterine firmness enables timely interventions if atony is detected, such as administering medications like oxytocin to promote uterine contractions or other measures to address complications. This proactive approach is key to ensuring patient safety and reducing the likelihood of hemorrhagic complications following surgery.

While other actions like monitoring urinary output, assessing dressings, and administering IV fluids are important in post-operative care, they do not directly address the risk of hemorrhage as effectively as monitoring uterine firmness does.