A 52-year-old woman is postpartum day 2 following a vaginal delivery and resides temporarily on a long-term care rehabilitation unit for recovery due to limited mobility from a prior spinal fusion. Her history includes type 2 diabetes mellitus and a family history of hypertension; she is not on any regular medications besides prenatal vitamins and has no known allergies, with immunizations up to date. The LPN/VN assesses the client: fundus firm at 2 cm below the umbilicus and midline, moderate lochia rubra, perineum intact without swelling, bladder nondistended, breasts soft and nontender. Vital signs are temperature 101.4°F (38.6°C), heart rate 92/min, respirations 18/min, blood pressure 118/72 mmHg. The client's daughter asks the LPN/VN if this is all part of normal healing. Which action should the nurse take regarding the client's assessment findings?
- Continue routine postpartum teaching on lochia changes without reporting the temperature.
- Report the elevated temperature finding to the RN or health care provider promptly.
- Perform a comprehensive infection risk assessment and revise the client's plan of care independently.
- Tell the daughter a fever this soon after delivery is a normal healing response.