,NUR 231 Exam 2 The Childbearing Family Questions And Answers
2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. Which finding best describes uterine involution?
A) Development of a new pregnancy
B) Return of the uterus toward its prepregnancy state
C) Production of fetal red blood cells
D) Permanent enlargement of the uterus
Correct Answer: B) Return of the uterus toward its prepregnancy state
Rationale: Uterine involution is the postpartum process in which the
enlarged uterus contracts and gradually returns toward its prepregnancy size
and condition.
Q2. Which postpartum change normally occurs as excess pregnancy
fluid is eliminated?
A) Persistent fluid retention
B) Decreased urine production
C) Progressive generalized edema
D) Increased diuresis
Correct Answer: D) Increased diuresis
Rationale: After birth, hormonal changes and reduced pressure from the
gravid uterus promote mobilization and excretion of excess fluid
accumulated during pregnancy.
Q3. Which lochia is expected during the first several postpartum
days?
A) Lochia alba
B) Lochia serosa
C) Lochia rubra
D) Purulent lochia
Correct Answer: C) Lochia rubra
Rationale: Lochia rubra is the early postpartum discharge and is
predominantly bloody because the placental site is still healing.
Q4. Which description best matches lochia serosa?
A) Bright-red discharge with heavy clots
B) Purulent discharge with foul odor
, C) Complete absence of postpartum discharge
D) Pinkish or brownish discharge occurring after lochia rubra
Correct Answer: D) Pinkish or brownish discharge occurring after lochia rubra
Rationale: Lochia serosa follows lochia rubra and contains less blood, giving
it a pink, brown, or serosanguineous appearance.
Q5. Which description best matches lochia alba?
A) Heavy bright-red bleeding
B) Yellowish or whitish discharge occurring later postpartum
C) Green drainage indicating infection
D) Large blood clots during the first hour
Correct Answer: D) Yellowish or whitish discharge occurring later postpartum
Rationale: Lochia alba occurs later as the postpartum discharge becomes
lighter and contains more leukocytes, mucus, and cellular debris.
Q6. Which fundal finding is expected shortly after an uncomplicated
birth?
A) Soft, boggy, and several centimeters above the umbilicus
B) Firm and approximately at the level of the umbilicus
C) Completely nonpalpable immediately after delivery
D) Firm and at the xiphoid process
Correct Answer: B) Firm and approximately at the level of the umbilicus
Rationale: In the early postpartum period the fundus is normally firm and
near the umbilicus before descending gradually with involution.
Q7. A postpartum client's fundus is boggy. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A) Encourage the client to lie flat.
B) Massage the fundus until it becomes firm.
C) Apply an ice pack to the breasts.
D) Delay intervention until the next assessment.
Correct Answer: B) Massage the fundus until it becomes firm.
Rationale: A boggy uterus indicates poor uterine tone. Fundal massage
stimulates contraction and helps reduce bleeding.
2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. Which finding best describes uterine involution?
A) Development of a new pregnancy
B) Return of the uterus toward its prepregnancy state
C) Production of fetal red blood cells
D) Permanent enlargement of the uterus
Correct Answer: B) Return of the uterus toward its prepregnancy state
Rationale: Uterine involution is the postpartum process in which the
enlarged uterus contracts and gradually returns toward its prepregnancy size
and condition.
Q2. Which postpartum change normally occurs as excess pregnancy
fluid is eliminated?
A) Persistent fluid retention
B) Decreased urine production
C) Progressive generalized edema
D) Increased diuresis
Correct Answer: D) Increased diuresis
Rationale: After birth, hormonal changes and reduced pressure from the
gravid uterus promote mobilization and excretion of excess fluid
accumulated during pregnancy.
Q3. Which lochia is expected during the first several postpartum
days?
A) Lochia alba
B) Lochia serosa
C) Lochia rubra
D) Purulent lochia
Correct Answer: C) Lochia rubra
Rationale: Lochia rubra is the early postpartum discharge and is
predominantly bloody because the placental site is still healing.
Q4. Which description best matches lochia serosa?
A) Bright-red discharge with heavy clots
B) Purulent discharge with foul odor
, C) Complete absence of postpartum discharge
D) Pinkish or brownish discharge occurring after lochia rubra
Correct Answer: D) Pinkish or brownish discharge occurring after lochia rubra
Rationale: Lochia serosa follows lochia rubra and contains less blood, giving
it a pink, brown, or serosanguineous appearance.
Q5. Which description best matches lochia alba?
A) Heavy bright-red bleeding
B) Yellowish or whitish discharge occurring later postpartum
C) Green drainage indicating infection
D) Large blood clots during the first hour
Correct Answer: D) Yellowish or whitish discharge occurring later postpartum
Rationale: Lochia alba occurs later as the postpartum discharge becomes
lighter and contains more leukocytes, mucus, and cellular debris.
Q6. Which fundal finding is expected shortly after an uncomplicated
birth?
A) Soft, boggy, and several centimeters above the umbilicus
B) Firm and approximately at the level of the umbilicus
C) Completely nonpalpable immediately after delivery
D) Firm and at the xiphoid process
Correct Answer: B) Firm and approximately at the level of the umbilicus
Rationale: In the early postpartum period the fundus is normally firm and
near the umbilicus before descending gradually with involution.
Q7. A postpartum client's fundus is boggy. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A) Encourage the client to lie flat.
B) Massage the fundus until it becomes firm.
C) Apply an ice pack to the breasts.
D) Delay intervention until the next assessment.
Correct Answer: B) Massage the fundus until it becomes firm.
Rationale: A boggy uterus indicates poor uterine tone. Fundal massage
stimulates contraction and helps reduce bleeding.
