Maternity Exam 1 - Postpartum Care and
Complications(All answered)
Postpartum Period correct answers interval between the birth of the infant and the return of the
reproductive organs to their normal, non-pregnant state
clinical transition period for women, newborn, and family physiological and psychologically
possible definition: changes in all aspects of the mother's life that occur during the first year
following the birth of a child
mother and family adjust to new family member
Puerperium correct answers period after delivery of placenta, lasting for 6 weeks
Ongoing Postpartum Nursing Assessments correct answers vitals, abdominal palpation for
uterine tone, position and tenderness of palpable bladder, vaginal bleeding, pain, adequacy of
voiding, dizziness, chest pain, SOB, CBC results
How frequently should you be assessing during this period?
A. Every 15 minutes for the first hour
B. Every 30 minutes for the second hour
C. Every 4 hours for the first 24 hours
D. Every 8-12 hours thereafter correct answers
"Bubble He" correct answers breast, uterus, bowel, bladder, lochia, episiotomy, Homan's sign,
emotional status
When doing a health assessment, at which location would the nurse expect to palpate the fundus
in a woman on the second postpartal day and how should it feel?
A. fundus height 4 cm below umbilicus and midline
B. fundus height two fingerbreaths above symphysis pubis and hard
C. fundus height 4 cm above symphysis pubis and firm
D. fundus height two fingerbreaths below the umbilicus and firm correct answers D. fundus
height two fingerbreaths below the umbilicus and firm
How is postpartum hemostasis achieved? correct answers by compression of intra-myometrial
blood vessels as the uterine muscle contracts
The nurse assesses a postpartum woman's perineum and notices that her lochial discharge is
moderate in amount and red. The nurse would record this as what type of lochia?
A. Lochia Rubra
B. Lochia Serosa
C. Lochia Normalia
D. Lochia Alba correct answers A. Lochia Rubra
, Lochia Rubra correct answers dark red, lasts 3-4 days, occurring a few days after delivery,
mainly made up of blood, bits of fetal membranes, decidua (part of the uterine lining in
pregnancy), meconium, and cervical discharge
Lochia Serosa correct answers pinkish brown, lasts 4-10 days, contains less RBCs and more
WBCs, wound discharge from the placental and other sites, mucus from cervix
Lochia Alba correct answers whitish yellow, lasts 10-26 days, for about another 1-2 weeks,
whitish turbid fluid drains from the vagina which mainly consists of decimal cells, mucus,
WBCs, epithelial cells
Postpartum Perineal Assessment "REEDA" correct answers redness, edema, ecchymosis,
discharge, approximation
always check episiotomy, tearing, hematoma formation, hemorrhoids
Taking-in Phase correct answers time immediately after birth when the client needs others to
meet her needs and relives the birth process
Taking-hold Phase correct answers second phase characterized by dependent and independent
maternal behavior
Letting-go Phase correct answers third phase in which woman reestablishes relationships with
others
When developing the plan of care for the parents of a newborn, the nurse identifies interventions
to promote bonding and attachment based on the rationale that bonding and attachment are most
supported by which measure?
A. early parent-infant contact following birth
B. expert medical care for the labor and birth
C. good nutrition and prenatal care during pregnancy
D. grandparent involvement in infant care after birth correct answers A. early parent-infant
contact following birth
When giving a postpartum client self-care instructions in preparation for discharge, the nurse
instructs her to report heavy or excessive bleeding. How should the nurse describe "heavy
bleeding?"
A. Saturating 1 pad in 3 hours
B. Saturating 1 pad in 1 hour
C. Saturating 1 pad in 6 hours
D. Saturating 1 pad in 8 hours correct answers B. Saturating 1 pad in 1 hour
During assessment of the mother during the postpartum period, what sign should alert the nurse
that the client is likely experiencing uterine atony?
A. firm fundus
Complications(All answered)
Postpartum Period correct answers interval between the birth of the infant and the return of the
reproductive organs to their normal, non-pregnant state
clinical transition period for women, newborn, and family physiological and psychologically
possible definition: changes in all aspects of the mother's life that occur during the first year
following the birth of a child
mother and family adjust to new family member
Puerperium correct answers period after delivery of placenta, lasting for 6 weeks
Ongoing Postpartum Nursing Assessments correct answers vitals, abdominal palpation for
uterine tone, position and tenderness of palpable bladder, vaginal bleeding, pain, adequacy of
voiding, dizziness, chest pain, SOB, CBC results
How frequently should you be assessing during this period?
A. Every 15 minutes for the first hour
B. Every 30 minutes for the second hour
C. Every 4 hours for the first 24 hours
D. Every 8-12 hours thereafter correct answers
"Bubble He" correct answers breast, uterus, bowel, bladder, lochia, episiotomy, Homan's sign,
emotional status
When doing a health assessment, at which location would the nurse expect to palpate the fundus
in a woman on the second postpartal day and how should it feel?
A. fundus height 4 cm below umbilicus and midline
B. fundus height two fingerbreaths above symphysis pubis and hard
C. fundus height 4 cm above symphysis pubis and firm
D. fundus height two fingerbreaths below the umbilicus and firm correct answers D. fundus
height two fingerbreaths below the umbilicus and firm
How is postpartum hemostasis achieved? correct answers by compression of intra-myometrial
blood vessels as the uterine muscle contracts
The nurse assesses a postpartum woman's perineum and notices that her lochial discharge is
moderate in amount and red. The nurse would record this as what type of lochia?
A. Lochia Rubra
B. Lochia Serosa
C. Lochia Normalia
D. Lochia Alba correct answers A. Lochia Rubra
, Lochia Rubra correct answers dark red, lasts 3-4 days, occurring a few days after delivery,
mainly made up of blood, bits of fetal membranes, decidua (part of the uterine lining in
pregnancy), meconium, and cervical discharge
Lochia Serosa correct answers pinkish brown, lasts 4-10 days, contains less RBCs and more
WBCs, wound discharge from the placental and other sites, mucus from cervix
Lochia Alba correct answers whitish yellow, lasts 10-26 days, for about another 1-2 weeks,
whitish turbid fluid drains from the vagina which mainly consists of decimal cells, mucus,
WBCs, epithelial cells
Postpartum Perineal Assessment "REEDA" correct answers redness, edema, ecchymosis,
discharge, approximation
always check episiotomy, tearing, hematoma formation, hemorrhoids
Taking-in Phase correct answers time immediately after birth when the client needs others to
meet her needs and relives the birth process
Taking-hold Phase correct answers second phase characterized by dependent and independent
maternal behavior
Letting-go Phase correct answers third phase in which woman reestablishes relationships with
others
When developing the plan of care for the parents of a newborn, the nurse identifies interventions
to promote bonding and attachment based on the rationale that bonding and attachment are most
supported by which measure?
A. early parent-infant contact following birth
B. expert medical care for the labor and birth
C. good nutrition and prenatal care during pregnancy
D. grandparent involvement in infant care after birth correct answers A. early parent-infant
contact following birth
When giving a postpartum client self-care instructions in preparation for discharge, the nurse
instructs her to report heavy or excessive bleeding. How should the nurse describe "heavy
bleeding?"
A. Saturating 1 pad in 3 hours
B. Saturating 1 pad in 1 hour
C. Saturating 1 pad in 6 hours
D. Saturating 1 pad in 8 hours correct answers B. Saturating 1 pad in 1 hour
During assessment of the mother during the postpartum period, what sign should alert the nurse
that the client is likely experiencing uterine atony?
A. firm fundus
