NCLEX RN Practice Question

The nurse should encourage the client to begin with gentle pelvic-tilt or abdominal-tightening exercises and to avoid heavy lifting until the health-care provider confirms adequate healing-usually at the 4- to 6-week follow-up visit. Heavy lifting markedly increases intra-abdominal pressure, straining weakened abdominal and pelvic muscles and increasing the risk of uterine prolapse, incisional or umbilical hernias, or delayed uterine involution. Gradual, low-impact exercise started under professional guidance supports recovery without overloading the pelvic floor. The other options (lifting > 20 lb, performing full sit-ups/double-leg lifts early, or beginning high-impact aerobics within the first 2 weeks) impose excessive stress on healing tissues and are contraindicated in the immediate post-partum period.