NSG 3500 Exam 3 — Full 100-
Question Practice Exam
Maternal/Postpartum Nursing
| Questions, ANSWERs &
Rationales 2026
Questions 1–25: Postpartum Assessment & Normal Changes
1. The postpartum period, or puerperium, generally refers to which period?
A. Birth through 24 hours
B. Birth through approximately 6 weeks
C. The first 2 weeks only
D. The period from conception through delivery
ANSWER: B. Birth through approximately 6 weeks
Rationale: The puerperium is the period following childbirth during which the reproductive organs and
other maternal systems return toward the nonpregnant state, traditionally considered about 6 weeks.
2. Which postpartum finding is generally expected during the first few days after birth?
,A. Mild uterine cramping
B. Severe hypertension
C. Heavy continuous bleeding
D. Absent uterine tone
ANSWER: A. Mild uterine cramping
Rationale: Afterpains occur as the uterus contracts and involutes. They may be more noticeable during
breastfeeding because oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions.
3. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Firm fundus at the expected level
B. Moderate lochia that gradually decreases
C. Boggy uterus with heavy bleeding
D. Mild uterine cramping during breastfeeding
ANSWER: C. Boggy uterus with heavy bleeding
Rationale: A boggy uterus indicates uterine atony, a major cause of postpartum hemorrhage. Fundal
massage and prompt assessment/intervention are required.
4. A postpartum client's fundus is boggy. What should the nurse do first?
A. Encourage ambulation
B. Massage the fundus
C. Offer oral fluids
D. Place the client in Trendelenburg position
,ANSWER: B. Massage the fundus
Rationale: Fundal massage stimulates uterine contraction and is an immediate nursing intervention for
uterine atony.
5. A postpartum client's fundus is displaced to the right and higher than expected. Which action should
the nurse anticipate?
A. Encourage the client to void
B. Restrict fluids
C. Apply an ice pack to the abdomen
D. Administer an antidiarrheal
ANSWER: A. Encourage the client to void
Rationale: A full bladder can displace the uterus and interfere with uterine contraction, increasing
bleeding risk.
6. Which lochia is normally expected during the first several postpartum days?
A. Lochia rubra
B. Lochia alba
C. Lochia serosa only
D. Purulent drainage
ANSWER: A. Lochia rubra
Rationale: Lochia rubra is typically dark or bright red and contains blood, decidual tissue, and mucus
during the early postpartum period.
, 7. Lochia serosa is typically:
A. Dark red only
B. Pinkish or brownish
C. White and thick from birth
D. Green and foul smelling
ANSWER: B. Pinkish or brownish
Rationale: Lochia serosa follows lochia rubra and generally becomes pinkish or brownish as the amount
of blood decreases.
8. Lochia alba is typically:
A. Bright red
B. Pink and heavily bloody
C. Whitish or yellowish
D. Green and purulent
ANSWER: C. Whitish or yellowish
Rationale: Lochia alba is the later postpartum discharge and consists primarily of leukocytes, mucus, and
cellular debris.
9. Which lochia finding should be reported?
A. Gradually decreasing flow
B. Small amount of dark red lochia early postpartum
Question Practice Exam
Maternal/Postpartum Nursing
| Questions, ANSWERs &
Rationales 2026
Questions 1–25: Postpartum Assessment & Normal Changes
1. The postpartum period, or puerperium, generally refers to which period?
A. Birth through 24 hours
B. Birth through approximately 6 weeks
C. The first 2 weeks only
D. The period from conception through delivery
ANSWER: B. Birth through approximately 6 weeks
Rationale: The puerperium is the period following childbirth during which the reproductive organs and
other maternal systems return toward the nonpregnant state, traditionally considered about 6 weeks.
2. Which postpartum finding is generally expected during the first few days after birth?
,A. Mild uterine cramping
B. Severe hypertension
C. Heavy continuous bleeding
D. Absent uterine tone
ANSWER: A. Mild uterine cramping
Rationale: Afterpains occur as the uterus contracts and involutes. They may be more noticeable during
breastfeeding because oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions.
3. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Firm fundus at the expected level
B. Moderate lochia that gradually decreases
C. Boggy uterus with heavy bleeding
D. Mild uterine cramping during breastfeeding
ANSWER: C. Boggy uterus with heavy bleeding
Rationale: A boggy uterus indicates uterine atony, a major cause of postpartum hemorrhage. Fundal
massage and prompt assessment/intervention are required.
4. A postpartum client's fundus is boggy. What should the nurse do first?
A. Encourage ambulation
B. Massage the fundus
C. Offer oral fluids
D. Place the client in Trendelenburg position
,ANSWER: B. Massage the fundus
Rationale: Fundal massage stimulates uterine contraction and is an immediate nursing intervention for
uterine atony.
5. A postpartum client's fundus is displaced to the right and higher than expected. Which action should
the nurse anticipate?
A. Encourage the client to void
B. Restrict fluids
C. Apply an ice pack to the abdomen
D. Administer an antidiarrheal
ANSWER: A. Encourage the client to void
Rationale: A full bladder can displace the uterus and interfere with uterine contraction, increasing
bleeding risk.
6. Which lochia is normally expected during the first several postpartum days?
A. Lochia rubra
B. Lochia alba
C. Lochia serosa only
D. Purulent drainage
ANSWER: A. Lochia rubra
Rationale: Lochia rubra is typically dark or bright red and contains blood, decidual tissue, and mucus
during the early postpartum period.
, 7. Lochia serosa is typically:
A. Dark red only
B. Pinkish or brownish
C. White and thick from birth
D. Green and foul smelling
ANSWER: B. Pinkish or brownish
Rationale: Lochia serosa follows lochia rubra and generally becomes pinkish or brownish as the amount
of blood decreases.
8. Lochia alba is typically:
A. Bright red
B. Pink and heavily bloody
C. Whitish or yellowish
D. Green and purulent
ANSWER: C. Whitish or yellowish
Rationale: Lochia alba is the later postpartum discharge and consists primarily of leukocytes, mucus, and
cellular debris.
9. Which lochia finding should be reported?
A. Gradually decreasing flow
B. Small amount of dark red lochia early postpartum
