During postpartum care, an UAP tells the mother she must take a sitz bath. What action should the nurse take?

• A. Explain the procedure again to the UAP.
• B. Tell the UAP to follow orders without question.
• C. Ask the mother why she does not want to take a sitz bath.
• D. Schedule a sitz bath for another time.

Answer: (C)

Respecting the patient's autonomy and using patient-centered communication is the key idea here. When an unlicensed assistive personnel tells a new mother she must do a sitz bath, the nurse should first engage the mother to understand her perspective. Asking why the mother does not want to take a sitz bath opens a dialogue about comfort, pain, privacy, cultural beliefs, or any fears, and it allows the nurse to provide information, address misconceptions, or offer alternatives if needed. This approach ensures care aligns with the patient's wishes while still safeguarding safety and hygiene.

If, after discussing, the mother declines, the nurse can explore acceptable alternatives for perineal care and comfort and document the patient’s preferences. The other actions bypass the patient’s preferences, undermine autonomy, or prematurely enforce orders without addressing the underlying concerns.