Nursing 121 Unit 1, Normal Postpartum
Nursing Exam with correct answers
Maternal Physiologic Changes - ANSWER -- the process of readjusting physically and
mentally from pregnancy and birth begins immediately after birth and continues for
about 6 weeks
- many factors contribute to mother's response to her infant during this time:
mother's energy level and degree of comfort
health of newborn
care and encouragement given by health professionals
Involution of the Uterus - ANSWER -- reduction in size and return to non-pregnant
state
- 1 cm every 24 hours
Subinvolution of the Uterus - ANSWER -- when the uterus remains large, not normal
and requires further assessment
- may be caused by retained products or infection
Fundus - ANSWER -- after delivery of placenta, the uterine blood vessels become
compressed with a firm contracted uterus
- should be high and midline
- if fundus is deviated from midline, have mom enter her bladder and recheck
Boggy Uterus - ANSWER -- abnormal
- refers to decreased uterine muscle tone and higher bleeding
Lochia - ANSWER -- postpartum discharge that contains the remaining debris after
birth
- classified according to its appearance and contents
Nursing 121 Unit 1, Normal Postpartum
Nursing Exam with correct answers
, - if mom is filling 1 full pad in an hour or less, further assessment is needed
immediately
Lochia Rubra - ANSWER -- dark red
- occurs for the first 2-3 days
- contains epithelial cells, erythrocytes, leukocytes, shreds of decidua, and
occasionally fetal meconium, langugo, and vernix
- some small clots (no larger than a nickel) are common, especially in the first few
days after birth
Lochia Serosa - ANSWER -- a pinkish color
- from 3-10 days after birth
- composed of serous exudate, shreds of degenerating decidua, erythrocytes,
leukocytes, cervical mucus, and numerous microorganisms
- RBC component decreases gradually
Lochia Alba - ANSWER -- a creamy or yellowish discharge
- final postpartum discharge, persists for an additional week or two
- composed primarily of leukocytes, decidual cells, epithelial cells, fat, cervical
mucus, cholesterol crystals, and bacteria
Suggested Guidelines for Assessing Lochia Volume - ANSWER -- scant amount:
blood only on tissue when wiped or less than 1-inch stain on peripad
- light amount: less than 4-inch stain on peripad
- moderate amount: less than 6-inch stain on peripad
- heavy amount: saturated peripad within 1 hour
- lochia should never exceed a moderate amount
- if peripad is heavily saturated in 1 hour or less, further assessment is needed
immediately
Cervix, Vaginal, and Perineal Changes - ANSWER -- external os permanently
changed
Nursing 121 Unit 1, Normal Postpartum
Nursing Exam with correct answers
Nursing Exam with correct answers
Maternal Physiologic Changes - ANSWER -- the process of readjusting physically and
mentally from pregnancy and birth begins immediately after birth and continues for
about 6 weeks
- many factors contribute to mother's response to her infant during this time:
mother's energy level and degree of comfort
health of newborn
care and encouragement given by health professionals
Involution of the Uterus - ANSWER -- reduction in size and return to non-pregnant
state
- 1 cm every 24 hours
Subinvolution of the Uterus - ANSWER -- when the uterus remains large, not normal
and requires further assessment
- may be caused by retained products or infection
Fundus - ANSWER -- after delivery of placenta, the uterine blood vessels become
compressed with a firm contracted uterus
- should be high and midline
- if fundus is deviated from midline, have mom enter her bladder and recheck
Boggy Uterus - ANSWER -- abnormal
- refers to decreased uterine muscle tone and higher bleeding
Lochia - ANSWER -- postpartum discharge that contains the remaining debris after
birth
- classified according to its appearance and contents
Nursing 121 Unit 1, Normal Postpartum
Nursing Exam with correct answers
, - if mom is filling 1 full pad in an hour or less, further assessment is needed
immediately
Lochia Rubra - ANSWER -- dark red
- occurs for the first 2-3 days
- contains epithelial cells, erythrocytes, leukocytes, shreds of decidua, and
occasionally fetal meconium, langugo, and vernix
- some small clots (no larger than a nickel) are common, especially in the first few
days after birth
Lochia Serosa - ANSWER -- a pinkish color
- from 3-10 days after birth
- composed of serous exudate, shreds of degenerating decidua, erythrocytes,
leukocytes, cervical mucus, and numerous microorganisms
- RBC component decreases gradually
Lochia Alba - ANSWER -- a creamy or yellowish discharge
- final postpartum discharge, persists for an additional week or two
- composed primarily of leukocytes, decidual cells, epithelial cells, fat, cervical
mucus, cholesterol crystals, and bacteria
Suggested Guidelines for Assessing Lochia Volume - ANSWER -- scant amount:
blood only on tissue when wiped or less than 1-inch stain on peripad
- light amount: less than 4-inch stain on peripad
- moderate amount: less than 6-inch stain on peripad
- heavy amount: saturated peripad within 1 hour
- lochia should never exceed a moderate amount
- if peripad is heavily saturated in 1 hour or less, further assessment is needed
immediately
Cervix, Vaginal, and Perineal Changes - ANSWER -- external os permanently
changed
Nursing 121 Unit 1, Normal Postpartum
Nursing Exam with correct answers
