GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING · SCHOOL OF NURSING
NUR 504 Exam 2
Practice Question Bank
Health Assessment — NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Postpartum Care, Labor & Delivery, Maternal-Child Health
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales — Health Assessment 2
NUR 504 · Galen College of Nursing Page 1
,NUR 504 EXAM 2 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Health Assessment — Postpartum Care, Labor & Delivery
1 The puerperium is defined as the period:
A After the birth of the baby until the reproductive organs return to their normal
nonpregnant state
B From the onset of labor until delivery
C From conception until the onset of labor
D The first 28 days of life
Why A is correct: The puerperium is the postpartum period after the birth of the baby until
the reproductive organs return to their normal nonpregnant state.
B — This describes the intrapartum period.
C — This describes the antepartum period.
D — This describes the neonatal period.
,2 Uterine involution refers to the process of:
A The uterus contracting and shrinking back down in size
B The uterus returning to its pre-pregnancy position
C The cervix closing after delivery
D The vagina returning to its pre-pregnancy state
Why A is correct: Uterine involution is the process of the uterus contracting and shrinking
back down in size after delivery.
B — This is part of involution but not the full definition.
C — This describes cervical changes.
D — This describes vaginal changes.
3 Which of the following factors can retard uterine involution? Select all that apply.
A Precipitous or prolonged labor
B Anesthesia
C Full bladder
D Overdistention of the uterus
E Breastfeeding
Why A, B, C, and D are correct: Factors that retard uterine involution include
precipitous/prolonged labor, anesthesia, full bladder, overdistention, grandmultiparity,
incomplete expulsion of placenta, and infection.
E — Breastfeeding promotes uterine involution through oxytocin release.
, 4 Lochia rubra typically lasts:
A 3-4 days
B 7-10 days
C 2-3 weeks
D 6 weeks
Why A is correct: Lochia rubra, which is primarily red and contains RBCs, typically lasts
about 3-4 days after delivery.
B — Lochia serosa lasts about 10 days.
C — This is not a standard lochia phase.
D — Lochia alba can last up to 6 weeks.
5 Lochia serosa is characterized as:
A Pinkish-brownish discharge with mucus and WBCs
B Red discharge with small clots
C White or pale discharge with many WBCs
D Yellow discharge with mucus
Why A is correct: Lochia serosa is pinkish-brownish in color because it contains mucus and
WBCs, lasting about 10 days.
B — This describes lochia rubra.
C — This describes lochia alba.
D — This is not a standard lochia description.
NUR 504 Exam 2
Practice Question Bank
Health Assessment — NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Postpartum Care, Labor & Delivery, Maternal-Child Health
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales — Health Assessment 2
NUR 504 · Galen College of Nursing Page 1
,NUR 504 EXAM 2 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Health Assessment — Postpartum Care, Labor & Delivery
1 The puerperium is defined as the period:
A After the birth of the baby until the reproductive organs return to their normal
nonpregnant state
B From the onset of labor until delivery
C From conception until the onset of labor
D The first 28 days of life
Why A is correct: The puerperium is the postpartum period after the birth of the baby until
the reproductive organs return to their normal nonpregnant state.
B — This describes the intrapartum period.
C — This describes the antepartum period.
D — This describes the neonatal period.
,2 Uterine involution refers to the process of:
A The uterus contracting and shrinking back down in size
B The uterus returning to its pre-pregnancy position
C The cervix closing after delivery
D The vagina returning to its pre-pregnancy state
Why A is correct: Uterine involution is the process of the uterus contracting and shrinking
back down in size after delivery.
B — This is part of involution but not the full definition.
C — This describes cervical changes.
D — This describes vaginal changes.
3 Which of the following factors can retard uterine involution? Select all that apply.
A Precipitous or prolonged labor
B Anesthesia
C Full bladder
D Overdistention of the uterus
E Breastfeeding
Why A, B, C, and D are correct: Factors that retard uterine involution include
precipitous/prolonged labor, anesthesia, full bladder, overdistention, grandmultiparity,
incomplete expulsion of placenta, and infection.
E — Breastfeeding promotes uterine involution through oxytocin release.
, 4 Lochia rubra typically lasts:
A 3-4 days
B 7-10 days
C 2-3 weeks
D 6 weeks
Why A is correct: Lochia rubra, which is primarily red and contains RBCs, typically lasts
about 3-4 days after delivery.
B — Lochia serosa lasts about 10 days.
C — This is not a standard lochia phase.
D — Lochia alba can last up to 6 weeks.
5 Lochia serosa is characterized as:
A Pinkish-brownish discharge with mucus and WBCs
B Red discharge with small clots
C White or pale discharge with many WBCs
D Yellow discharge with mucus
Why A is correct: Lochia serosa is pinkish-brownish in color because it contains mucus and
WBCs, lasting about 10 days.
B — This describes lochia rubra.
C — This describes lochia alba.
D — This is not a standard lochia description.
