NSG 3500 Exam 3 Review Questions &
Answer Key
Galen College of Nursing | 2026/2027 Updated
Original practice review — not actual Galen exam questions or a proprietary test bank.
Recent online course materials identify NSG 3500 Exam 3 primarily with
maternal/postpartum nursing, including postpartum assessment, uterine involution, lochia,
postpartum hemorrhage, infection, breastfeeding, newborn care, and related complications.
Below is a 100-question original practice exam with answers and rationales.
Section I — Postpartum Assessment
1.
A nurse assesses a client 2 hours after a vaginal birth. The fundus is firm, midline, and
approximately at the umbilicus. What should the nurse do?
A. Massage the fundus vigorously
B. Document the finding as expected
C. Notify the provider immediately
D. Prepare for uterine surgery
Answer: B
Rationale: A firm, midline fundus near the umbilicus during the early postpartum period is an
expected finding.
2.
Which finding is most concerning during a postpartum assessment?
A. Firm fundus
B. Moderate lochia rubra
C. Boggy uterus with heavy bleeding
D. Mild afterpains during breastfeeding
,Answer: C
Rationale: A boggy uterus suggests uterine atony, a major cause of postpartum hemorrhage.
3.
The postpartum nurse palpates a boggy fundus. What should the nurse do first?
A. Massage the fundus
B. Give the client food
C. Place the client flat
D. Encourage ambulation
Answer: A
Rationale: Fundal massage promotes uterine contraction and is an immediate intervention for
uterine atony.
4.
A postpartum client's fundus is firm but deviated to the right. What is the most likely cause?
A. Full bladder
B. Infection
C. Normal involution
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: A
Rationale: A distended bladder can displace the uterus from the midline and interfere with
uterine contraction.
5.
Which lochia is expected during the first several postpartum days?
A. Alba
B. Serosa
C. Rubra
D. Purulent
,Answer: C
Rationale: Lochia rubra is the normal red postpartum discharge during the early postpartum
period.
6.
Lochia serosa is generally:
A. Bright red
B. Pinkish or brownish
C. White only
D. Green and foul smelling
Answer: B
Rationale: Lochia serosa commonly follows lochia rubra and has a pinkish-to-brownish
appearance.
7.
Which lochia is typically associated with the later postpartum period?
A. Rubra
B. Serosa
C. Alba
D. Purulent
Answer: C
Rationale: Lochia alba is generally pale or whitish and occurs after the rubra and serosa stages.
8.
Which finding suggests postpartum infection?
A. Fleshy odor of lochia
B. Foul-smelling lochia
C. Small amount of lochia
D. Gradual decrease in lochia
, Answer: B
Rationale: Foul-smelling vaginal discharge may indicate infection.
9.
Which assessment is included in a routine postpartum examination?
A. Fundus
B. Lochia
C. Perineum
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: Postpartum assessment includes uterine involution, bleeding, perineal condition,
breasts, bladder/bowel function, vital signs, and emotional status.
10.
Which postpartum finding should the nurse report promptly?
A. Mild uterine cramping
B. Saturating a pad rapidly with blood
C. Mild fatigue
D. Small amount of lochia
Answer: B
Rationale: Rapidly saturating pads can indicate significant postpartum hemorrhage.
Section II — Postpartum Hemorrhage
11.
The most common cause of early postpartum hemorrhage is:
A. Uterine atony
B. Breast engorgement
Answer Key
Galen College of Nursing | 2026/2027 Updated
Original practice review — not actual Galen exam questions or a proprietary test bank.
Recent online course materials identify NSG 3500 Exam 3 primarily with
maternal/postpartum nursing, including postpartum assessment, uterine involution, lochia,
postpartum hemorrhage, infection, breastfeeding, newborn care, and related complications.
Below is a 100-question original practice exam with answers and rationales.
Section I — Postpartum Assessment
1.
A nurse assesses a client 2 hours after a vaginal birth. The fundus is firm, midline, and
approximately at the umbilicus. What should the nurse do?
A. Massage the fundus vigorously
B. Document the finding as expected
C. Notify the provider immediately
D. Prepare for uterine surgery
Answer: B
Rationale: A firm, midline fundus near the umbilicus during the early postpartum period is an
expected finding.
2.
Which finding is most concerning during a postpartum assessment?
A. Firm fundus
B. Moderate lochia rubra
C. Boggy uterus with heavy bleeding
D. Mild afterpains during breastfeeding
,Answer: C
Rationale: A boggy uterus suggests uterine atony, a major cause of postpartum hemorrhage.
3.
The postpartum nurse palpates a boggy fundus. What should the nurse do first?
A. Massage the fundus
B. Give the client food
C. Place the client flat
D. Encourage ambulation
Answer: A
Rationale: Fundal massage promotes uterine contraction and is an immediate intervention for
uterine atony.
4.
A postpartum client's fundus is firm but deviated to the right. What is the most likely cause?
A. Full bladder
B. Infection
C. Normal involution
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: A
Rationale: A distended bladder can displace the uterus from the midline and interfere with
uterine contraction.
5.
Which lochia is expected during the first several postpartum days?
A. Alba
B. Serosa
C. Rubra
D. Purulent
,Answer: C
Rationale: Lochia rubra is the normal red postpartum discharge during the early postpartum
period.
6.
Lochia serosa is generally:
A. Bright red
B. Pinkish or brownish
C. White only
D. Green and foul smelling
Answer: B
Rationale: Lochia serosa commonly follows lochia rubra and has a pinkish-to-brownish
appearance.
7.
Which lochia is typically associated with the later postpartum period?
A. Rubra
B. Serosa
C. Alba
D. Purulent
Answer: C
Rationale: Lochia alba is generally pale or whitish and occurs after the rubra and serosa stages.
8.
Which finding suggests postpartum infection?
A. Fleshy odor of lochia
B. Foul-smelling lochia
C. Small amount of lochia
D. Gradual decrease in lochia
, Answer: B
Rationale: Foul-smelling vaginal discharge may indicate infection.
9.
Which assessment is included in a routine postpartum examination?
A. Fundus
B. Lochia
C. Perineum
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: Postpartum assessment includes uterine involution, bleeding, perineal condition,
breasts, bladder/bowel function, vital signs, and emotional status.
10.
Which postpartum finding should the nurse report promptly?
A. Mild uterine cramping
B. Saturating a pad rapidly with blood
C. Mild fatigue
D. Small amount of lochia
Answer: B
Rationale: Rapidly saturating pads can indicate significant postpartum hemorrhage.
Section II — Postpartum Hemorrhage
11.
The most common cause of early postpartum hemorrhage is:
A. Uterine atony
B. Breast engorgement
