ATI Maternal Newborn - Week 5 Study Guide: Postpartum Care &
Recovery 2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a client 12 hours after a vaginal delivery. At which
location should the nurse expect to find the uterine fundus?
A. At the level of the umbilicus
B. 2 cm below the umbilicus
C. 4 cm above the umbilicus
D. Level with the symphysis pubis
Answer: A
Rationale: Approximately 12 hours after birth, the fundus should be at the level of the
umbilicus. It then descends about 1 to 2 cm every 24 hours.
2. A postpartum client is experiencing heavy lochia rubra with large clots. Which
nursing intervention is the priority?
A. Administer oxytocin IV
B. Massage the uterine fundus
C. Notify the provider
D. Request a hemoglobin and hematocrit
Answer: B
Rationale: The first action the nurse should take is to massage the fundus to promote
uterine contractions and prevent postpartum hemorrhage due to uterine atony.
,3. A nurse is teaching a client who is breastfeeding about postpartum lochia.
Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. Lochia rubra will last for about 10 days.
B. Lochia alba is the final stage and is yellowish-white.
C. I should expect lochia serosa to be bright red.
D. Lochia will stop completely within 2 weeks of delivery.
Answer: B
Rationale: Lochia alba is the final stage of discharge, typically lasting from day 11 up to 8
weeks postpartum. Lochia rubra lasts 1-3 days, and serosa is brownish-pink.
4. Which of the following medications is contraindicated for a postpartum client
with a history of hypertension who is experiencing uterine atony?
A. Oxytocin
B. Misoprostol
C. Methylergonovine
D. Carboprost
Answer: C
Rationale: Methylergonovine (Methergine) is an oxytocic that causes vasoconstriction and
is contraindicated in patients with hypertension or preeclampsia.
5. A nurse is assessing a postpartum client’s perineum. The nurse notes redness,
edema, and ecchymosis. Which intervention should the nurse recommend in
the first 24 hours?
A. Apply ice packs to the perineum
B. Apply a warm sitz bath
C. Administer a stool softener
D. Encourage the client to sit on a donut pillow
Answer: A
, Rationale: During the first 24 hours postpartum, ice packs are used to reduce edema and
provide local anesthesia to the perineal area.
6. A client who is 2 days postpartum and breastfeeding reports breast
engorgement. Which of the following instructions should the nurse provide?
A. Apply cold compresses after feedings
B. Wear a loose-fitting bra
C. Avoid pumping between feedings
D. Use cabbage leaves if not breastfeeding
Answer: A
Rationale: For breastfeeding clients with engorgement, applying cold compresses after
feedings and warm compresses or a warm shower before feedings can help manage
discomfort.
7. A nurse is caring for a postpartum client who is Rh-negative and has an Rh-
positive newborn. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Administer Rho(D) immune globulin to the newborn
B. Administer Rho(D) immune globulin within 72 hours
C. Check the client’s rubella titer
D. Monitor the newborn for signs of infection
Answer: B
Rationale: Rho(D) immune globulin must be administered IM to the Rh-negative mother
within 72 hours of delivery of an Rh-positive infant to prevent sensitization.
Recovery 2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a client 12 hours after a vaginal delivery. At which
location should the nurse expect to find the uterine fundus?
A. At the level of the umbilicus
B. 2 cm below the umbilicus
C. 4 cm above the umbilicus
D. Level with the symphysis pubis
Answer: A
Rationale: Approximately 12 hours after birth, the fundus should be at the level of the
umbilicus. It then descends about 1 to 2 cm every 24 hours.
2. A postpartum client is experiencing heavy lochia rubra with large clots. Which
nursing intervention is the priority?
A. Administer oxytocin IV
B. Massage the uterine fundus
C. Notify the provider
D. Request a hemoglobin and hematocrit
Answer: B
Rationale: The first action the nurse should take is to massage the fundus to promote
uterine contractions and prevent postpartum hemorrhage due to uterine atony.
,3. A nurse is teaching a client who is breastfeeding about postpartum lochia.
Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. Lochia rubra will last for about 10 days.
B. Lochia alba is the final stage and is yellowish-white.
C. I should expect lochia serosa to be bright red.
D. Lochia will stop completely within 2 weeks of delivery.
Answer: B
Rationale: Lochia alba is the final stage of discharge, typically lasting from day 11 up to 8
weeks postpartum. Lochia rubra lasts 1-3 days, and serosa is brownish-pink.
4. Which of the following medications is contraindicated for a postpartum client
with a history of hypertension who is experiencing uterine atony?
A. Oxytocin
B. Misoprostol
C. Methylergonovine
D. Carboprost
Answer: C
Rationale: Methylergonovine (Methergine) is an oxytocic that causes vasoconstriction and
is contraindicated in patients with hypertension or preeclampsia.
5. A nurse is assessing a postpartum client’s perineum. The nurse notes redness,
edema, and ecchymosis. Which intervention should the nurse recommend in
the first 24 hours?
A. Apply ice packs to the perineum
B. Apply a warm sitz bath
C. Administer a stool softener
D. Encourage the client to sit on a donut pillow
Answer: A
, Rationale: During the first 24 hours postpartum, ice packs are used to reduce edema and
provide local anesthesia to the perineal area.
6. A client who is 2 days postpartum and breastfeeding reports breast
engorgement. Which of the following instructions should the nurse provide?
A. Apply cold compresses after feedings
B. Wear a loose-fitting bra
C. Avoid pumping between feedings
D. Use cabbage leaves if not breastfeeding
Answer: A
Rationale: For breastfeeding clients with engorgement, applying cold compresses after
feedings and warm compresses or a warm shower before feedings can help manage
discomfort.
7. A nurse is caring for a postpartum client who is Rh-negative and has an Rh-
positive newborn. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Administer Rho(D) immune globulin to the newborn
B. Administer Rho(D) immune globulin within 72 hours
C. Check the client’s rubella titer
D. Monitor the newborn for signs of infection
Answer: B
Rationale: Rho(D) immune globulin must be administered IM to the Rh-negative mother
within 72 hours of delivery of an Rh-positive infant to prevent sensitization.
