Inpatient Obstetric Nurse (NCC) Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide for Exam Success!

The primary nursing responsibility after a cesarean section focuses on the mother's well-being, specifically monitoring vital signs and assessing the surgical site. This is critical because the risk of complications such as infection, hemorrhage, and other postoperative issues are heightened following surgery.

Vigilant monitoring of the mother’s vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, helps identify potential complications early, enabling prompt intervention. Additionally, assessing the surgical site allows nurses to detect signs of infection, bleeding, or other abnormal findings that could indicate issues such as dehiscence or hematoma formation.

While other responsibilities, such as taking care of the infant or managing pain and promoting breastfeeding, are important in the context of post-operative care, the immediate priority lies in ensuring the mother's stability and recovery from surgery.