NSG 3500 Exam 3 – Maternal Health 2026/2027 |
Galen College of Nursing | Actual Questions &
Detailed Rationales
TABLE OF CONTENTS
POSTPARTUM PART I
Normal postpartum physiologic adaptations
Postpartum assessment and nursing care
Maternal role adaptation, bonding, and psychosocial care
Breastfeeding and postpartum health promotion
POSTPARTUM PART II
Postpartum hemorrhage and uterine complications
Postpartum infection, thromboembolism, and other complications
Postpartum mood disorders and psychosocial complications
Discharge teaching, contraception, and clinical judgment
POSTPARTUM PART I
NORMAL POSTPARTUM PHYSIOLOGIC ADAPTATIONS
Q1
The postpartum period begins:
A. Immediately after fertilization
B. After delivery of the placenta and continues through maternal recovery
C. At the beginning of labor
D. When breastfeeding begins
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: The postpartum period begins after delivery of the placenta and
involves the mother's transition toward the nonpregnant state. Assessment
focuses on physiologic recovery, emotional adaptation, and prevention of
complications.
Q2
Which physiologic process describes the uterus returning toward its prepregnancy
size?
A. Lactogenesis
B. Involution
C. Ovulation
D. Effacement
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Uterine involution is the process by which the enlarged postpartum
uterus decreases in size. Fundal height and uterine firmness are important
indicators of this process.
Q3
Immediately after delivery, the uterine fundus should normally be:
A. Firm and near the level of the umbilicus
B. Soft and below the symphysis pubis
C. Completely nonpalpable
D. Located in the right upper quadrant
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Shortly after birth, the fundus is normally firm and approximately at or
near the level of the umbilicus. A boggy uterus suggests inadequate contraction
and possible hemorrhage.
Q4
,A postpartum nurse palpates a boggy fundus. What is the priority intervention?
A. Encourage sleep
B. Massage the fundus
C. Apply heat
D. Encourage ambulation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A boggy uterus indicates uterine atony, a major cause of postpartum
hemorrhage. Fundal massage stimulates contraction and should be followed by
assessment of bleeding and further intervention as needed.
Q5
The nurse finds the fundus displaced to the right and above the expected level.
Which finding is most likely responsible?
A. A full bladder
B. Normal involution
C. Breast engorgement
D. Constipation only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A distended bladder can displace the uterus and interfere with
effective uterine contraction. The client should be assisted to void or catheterized
if clinically indicated.
Q6
Which lochia is expected during the first several postpartum days?
A. Lochia alba
B. Lochia rubra
C. Lochia serosa only
D. No vaginal discharge
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Lochia rubra is the dark-red discharge expected during the early
postpartum period. It gradually changes to lochia serosa and later lochia alba.
Q7
Lochia serosa is usually:
A. Bright red and heavy
B. Pinkish or brownish
C. White only
D. Completely absent
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lochia serosa commonly appears pink, brown, or yellowish-brown as
blood decreases and serous fluid and leukocytes become more prominent.
Q8
Lochia alba is typically:
A. Dark red
B. Pink and bloody
C. Whitish or yellowish
D. Bright green
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lochia alba is the later postpartum discharge and is typically whitish or
yellowish. The progression from rubra to serosa to alba reflects normal uterine
healing.
Q9
Which postpartum finding should be reported?
A. Gradual decrease in lochia
B. Foul-smelling lochia accompanied by fever
Galen College of Nursing | Actual Questions &
Detailed Rationales
TABLE OF CONTENTS
POSTPARTUM PART I
Normal postpartum physiologic adaptations
Postpartum assessment and nursing care
Maternal role adaptation, bonding, and psychosocial care
Breastfeeding and postpartum health promotion
POSTPARTUM PART II
Postpartum hemorrhage and uterine complications
Postpartum infection, thromboembolism, and other complications
Postpartum mood disorders and psychosocial complications
Discharge teaching, contraception, and clinical judgment
POSTPARTUM PART I
NORMAL POSTPARTUM PHYSIOLOGIC ADAPTATIONS
Q1
The postpartum period begins:
A. Immediately after fertilization
B. After delivery of the placenta and continues through maternal recovery
C. At the beginning of labor
D. When breastfeeding begins
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: The postpartum period begins after delivery of the placenta and
involves the mother's transition toward the nonpregnant state. Assessment
focuses on physiologic recovery, emotional adaptation, and prevention of
complications.
Q2
Which physiologic process describes the uterus returning toward its prepregnancy
size?
A. Lactogenesis
B. Involution
C. Ovulation
D. Effacement
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Uterine involution is the process by which the enlarged postpartum
uterus decreases in size. Fundal height and uterine firmness are important
indicators of this process.
Q3
Immediately after delivery, the uterine fundus should normally be:
A. Firm and near the level of the umbilicus
B. Soft and below the symphysis pubis
C. Completely nonpalpable
D. Located in the right upper quadrant
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Shortly after birth, the fundus is normally firm and approximately at or
near the level of the umbilicus. A boggy uterus suggests inadequate contraction
and possible hemorrhage.
Q4
,A postpartum nurse palpates a boggy fundus. What is the priority intervention?
A. Encourage sleep
B. Massage the fundus
C. Apply heat
D. Encourage ambulation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A boggy uterus indicates uterine atony, a major cause of postpartum
hemorrhage. Fundal massage stimulates contraction and should be followed by
assessment of bleeding and further intervention as needed.
Q5
The nurse finds the fundus displaced to the right and above the expected level.
Which finding is most likely responsible?
A. A full bladder
B. Normal involution
C. Breast engorgement
D. Constipation only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A distended bladder can displace the uterus and interfere with
effective uterine contraction. The client should be assisted to void or catheterized
if clinically indicated.
Q6
Which lochia is expected during the first several postpartum days?
A. Lochia alba
B. Lochia rubra
C. Lochia serosa only
D. No vaginal discharge
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Lochia rubra is the dark-red discharge expected during the early
postpartum period. It gradually changes to lochia serosa and later lochia alba.
Q7
Lochia serosa is usually:
A. Bright red and heavy
B. Pinkish or brownish
C. White only
D. Completely absent
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lochia serosa commonly appears pink, brown, or yellowish-brown as
blood decreases and serous fluid and leukocytes become more prominent.
Q8
Lochia alba is typically:
A. Dark red
B. Pink and bloody
C. Whitish or yellowish
D. Bright green
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lochia alba is the later postpartum discharge and is typically whitish or
yellowish. The progression from rubra to serosa to alba reflects normal uterine
healing.
Q9
Which postpartum finding should be reported?
A. Gradual decrease in lochia
B. Foul-smelling lochia accompanied by fever
