Postpartum Care & Complications Practice Pack 2026/2027
Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is assessing a client 2 hours after delivery. Where should the fundus
be located?
A. 2 cm above the umbilicus
B. At the level of the umbilicus
C. 4 cm below the umbilicus
D. Behind the symphysis pubis
Answer: B
Rationale: Immediately after delivery, the fundus is usually midway between the
umbilicus and symphysis pubis, but within 6 to 12 hours, it rises to the level of the
umbilicus.
2. Which assessment finding should the nurse report immediately during the
postpartum period?
A. Lochia rubra on day 2
B. Pulse rate of 60 beats/min
C. Saturated perineal pad in 15 minutes
D. Afterpains during breastfeeding
Answer: C
Rationale: Saturating a perineal pad in 15 minutes or less indicates excessive bleeding and
potential postpartum hemorrhage.
,3. A client who is 3 days postpartum is in the ‘Taking-hold’ phase. Which
behavior is expected?
A. Being talkative and reliving the birth experience
B. Relinquishing control to the nurse
C. Focusing primarily on personal needs like sleep and food
D. Demonstrating readiness to learn about infant care
Answer: D
Rationale: The taking-hold phase is characterized by a shift toward autonomy and an
eagerness to learn how to care for the newborn.
4. Which medication is contraindicated for a postpartum client with a blood
pressure of 150/98 mmHg?
A. Oxytocin
B. Methylergonovine
C. Carboprost
D. Misoprostol
Answer: B
Rationale: Methylergonovine (Methergine) is an oxytocic that can cause significant
hypertension and is contraindicated in patients with elevated blood pressure.
5. What is the primary purpose of administering Rho(D) immune globulin to an
Rh-negative mother?
A. To prevent ABO incompatibility in the current newborn
B. To treat jaundice in the newborn
C. To prevent sensitization to Rh-positive blood for future pregnancies
D. To stimulate the mother’s own production of Rh antibodies
Answer: C
Rationale: Rho(D) immune globulin prevents the Rh-negative mother from producing
antibodies against Rh-positive fetal blood cells.
, 6. A nurse observes a client’s fundus is displaced to the right of the midline.
What is the priority action?
A. Perform a vigorous fundal massage
B. Ask the client to empty her bladder
C. Administer oxytocin as ordered
D. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: A distended bladder can displace the uterus upward and to the side, preventing
effective uterine contraction.
7. Which finding is characteristic of Lochia Serosa?
A. Bright red discharge lasting 1-3 days
B. Greenish discharge with a foul odor
C. Creamy white discharge lasting 1-2 weeks
D. Pinkish-brown discharge lasting from day 4 to 10
Answer: D
Rationale: Lochia serosa is the second stage of postpartum discharge, appearing pinkish or
brown and typically lasting from the 4th to the 10th day.
8. A postpartum client reports calf pain and warmth in the right leg. What
should the nurse do first?
A. Massage the affected area to relieve pain
B. Encourage the client to ambulate
C. Place the client on bed rest and notify the provider
D. Apply a cold compress to the calf
Answer: C
Rationale: Calf pain and warmth are signs of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Massaging or
ambulating could dislodge a clot, leading to a pulmonary embolism.
Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is assessing a client 2 hours after delivery. Where should the fundus
be located?
A. 2 cm above the umbilicus
B. At the level of the umbilicus
C. 4 cm below the umbilicus
D. Behind the symphysis pubis
Answer: B
Rationale: Immediately after delivery, the fundus is usually midway between the
umbilicus and symphysis pubis, but within 6 to 12 hours, it rises to the level of the
umbilicus.
2. Which assessment finding should the nurse report immediately during the
postpartum period?
A. Lochia rubra on day 2
B. Pulse rate of 60 beats/min
C. Saturated perineal pad in 15 minutes
D. Afterpains during breastfeeding
Answer: C
Rationale: Saturating a perineal pad in 15 minutes or less indicates excessive bleeding and
potential postpartum hemorrhage.
,3. A client who is 3 days postpartum is in the ‘Taking-hold’ phase. Which
behavior is expected?
A. Being talkative and reliving the birth experience
B. Relinquishing control to the nurse
C. Focusing primarily on personal needs like sleep and food
D. Demonstrating readiness to learn about infant care
Answer: D
Rationale: The taking-hold phase is characterized by a shift toward autonomy and an
eagerness to learn how to care for the newborn.
4. Which medication is contraindicated for a postpartum client with a blood
pressure of 150/98 mmHg?
A. Oxytocin
B. Methylergonovine
C. Carboprost
D. Misoprostol
Answer: B
Rationale: Methylergonovine (Methergine) is an oxytocic that can cause significant
hypertension and is contraindicated in patients with elevated blood pressure.
5. What is the primary purpose of administering Rho(D) immune globulin to an
Rh-negative mother?
A. To prevent ABO incompatibility in the current newborn
B. To treat jaundice in the newborn
C. To prevent sensitization to Rh-positive blood for future pregnancies
D. To stimulate the mother’s own production of Rh antibodies
Answer: C
Rationale: Rho(D) immune globulin prevents the Rh-negative mother from producing
antibodies against Rh-positive fetal blood cells.
, 6. A nurse observes a client’s fundus is displaced to the right of the midline.
What is the priority action?
A. Perform a vigorous fundal massage
B. Ask the client to empty her bladder
C. Administer oxytocin as ordered
D. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: A distended bladder can displace the uterus upward and to the side, preventing
effective uterine contraction.
7. Which finding is characteristic of Lochia Serosa?
A. Bright red discharge lasting 1-3 days
B. Greenish discharge with a foul odor
C. Creamy white discharge lasting 1-2 weeks
D. Pinkish-brown discharge lasting from day 4 to 10
Answer: D
Rationale: Lochia serosa is the second stage of postpartum discharge, appearing pinkish or
brown and typically lasting from the 4th to the 10th day.
8. A postpartum client reports calf pain and warmth in the right leg. What
should the nurse do first?
A. Massage the affected area to relieve pain
B. Encourage the client to ambulate
C. Place the client on bed rest and notify the provider
D. Apply a cold compress to the calf
Answer: C
Rationale: Calf pain and warmth are signs of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Massaging or
ambulating could dislodge a clot, leading to a pulmonary embolism.
