G A L E N C O L L E G E O F N U R S I N G · A S S O C I AT E D E G R E E N U R S I N G P R O G R A M
NUR 254 Exam 2
Practice Question Bank
NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Maternal-Newborn Nursing — Postpartum & Newborn Care
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales — Postpartum & Newborn Care 2
NUR 254 · Galen College of Nursing Page 1
,NUR 254 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: Maternal-Newborn Nursing — Postpartum & Newborn Care
1 The nurse is assessing a client who is 2 hours postpartum. The nurse notes that the
fundus is boggy and deviated to the right. Which action should the nurse take first?
A Assist the client to void and massage the fundus
B Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C Administer oxytocin as prescribed
D Document the finding as normal
Correct Answer: A A boggy uterus that is deviated to the right indicates a full bladder
displacing the uterus. The nurse should assist the client to void and massage the fundus to
promote uterine contraction and prevent hemorrhage.
B — Notifying the provider is not the first action; the nurse should intervene first by having
the client void.
C — Oxytocin may be needed if massage and voiding do not improve uterine tone, but it is
not the first action.
D — A boggy uterus is not normal and requires intervention to prevent postpartum
hemorrhage.
Tested Concept: Uterine atony — boggy uterus management
Source Concept: Uterus is boggy — Massage fundus — Use restroom
,2 A nurse is assessing a postpartum client's lochia on day 2. The nurse notes bright red
bleeding with small clots. The nurse should document this as which type of lochia?
A Rubra
B Serosa
C Alba
D Nigra
Correct Answer: A Lochia rubra is bright red and occurs during the first 1–3 days
postpartum. It consists of blood, decidual tissue, and mucus.
B — Lochia serosa is pinkish-brown and occurs from days 4–10 postpartum.
C — Lochia alba is whitish-yellow and occurs from days 10–14, lasting up to 3–6 weeks.
D — Nigra is not a type of lochia; it refers to linea nigra, a skin change in pregnancy.
Tested Concept: Lochia types — Rubra
Source Concept: Rubra — Bright Red — 1-3 days
3 A postpartum client is 7 days after delivery. The nurse notes pinkish-brown discharge
on the perineal pad. The nurse should document this as which type of lochia?
A Rubra
B Serosa
C Alba
D Purulenta
Correct Answer: B Lochia serosa is pinkish-brown and occurs from days 4–10 postpartum
as the lochia transitions from rubra to alba.
A — Lochia rubra is bright red and occurs during the first 1–3 days.
C — Lochia alba is whitish-yellow and occurs from days 10–14, lasting up to 3–6 weeks.
D — Purulenta is not a type of lochia; purulent drainage indicates infection.
Tested Concept: Lochia types — Serosa
Source Concept: Serosa — Pinkish-brown — 4-10 days
, 4 A postpartum client who is 2 weeks after delivery reports whitish-yellow vaginal
discharge. The nurse should document this as which type of lochia?
A Rubra
B Serosa
C Alba
D Mucoid
Correct Answer: C Lochia alba is whitish-yellow and occurs from days 10–14 postpartum,
but can last up to 3–6 weeks. It contains leukocytes, decidual cells, and mucus.
A — Lochia rubra is bright red and occurs during the first 1–3 days.
B — Lochia serosa is pinkish-brown and occurs from days 4–10.
D — Mucoid is not a standard type of lochia.
Tested Concept: Lochia types — Alba
Source Concept: Alba — Whitish-yellow — 10-14 days, can last 3-6 weeks
5 A postpartum client has a temperature of 100.8°F (38.2°C). Which action should the
nurse take?
A Document this as normal in the immediate postpartum period
B Assess for signs of infection and notify the healthcare provider
C Administer acetaminophen and reassess in 4 hours
D Apply cool compresses and encourage oral fluids
Correct Answer: B A temperature above 100.4°F (38°C) in the postpartum period is
indicative of a probable infection. The nurse should assess for other signs of infection and
notify the healthcare provider.
A — A temperature of 100.8°F is not normal and requires further investigation.
C — The nurse should notify the provider rather than simply medicating and reassessing.
D — Comfort measures may be appropriate but do not address the underlying infection.
Tested Concept: Temperature elevation in postpartum
Source Concept: Temperature above 100.4 — Probable infection
NUR 254 Exam 2
Practice Question Bank
NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Maternal-Newborn Nursing — Postpartum & Newborn Care
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales — Postpartum & Newborn Care 2
NUR 254 · Galen College of Nursing Page 1
,NUR 254 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: Maternal-Newborn Nursing — Postpartum & Newborn Care
1 The nurse is assessing a client who is 2 hours postpartum. The nurse notes that the
fundus is boggy and deviated to the right. Which action should the nurse take first?
A Assist the client to void and massage the fundus
B Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C Administer oxytocin as prescribed
D Document the finding as normal
Correct Answer: A A boggy uterus that is deviated to the right indicates a full bladder
displacing the uterus. The nurse should assist the client to void and massage the fundus to
promote uterine contraction and prevent hemorrhage.
B — Notifying the provider is not the first action; the nurse should intervene first by having
the client void.
C — Oxytocin may be needed if massage and voiding do not improve uterine tone, but it is
not the first action.
D — A boggy uterus is not normal and requires intervention to prevent postpartum
hemorrhage.
Tested Concept: Uterine atony — boggy uterus management
Source Concept: Uterus is boggy — Massage fundus — Use restroom
,2 A nurse is assessing a postpartum client's lochia on day 2. The nurse notes bright red
bleeding with small clots. The nurse should document this as which type of lochia?
A Rubra
B Serosa
C Alba
D Nigra
Correct Answer: A Lochia rubra is bright red and occurs during the first 1–3 days
postpartum. It consists of blood, decidual tissue, and mucus.
B — Lochia serosa is pinkish-brown and occurs from days 4–10 postpartum.
C — Lochia alba is whitish-yellow and occurs from days 10–14, lasting up to 3–6 weeks.
D — Nigra is not a type of lochia; it refers to linea nigra, a skin change in pregnancy.
Tested Concept: Lochia types — Rubra
Source Concept: Rubra — Bright Red — 1-3 days
3 A postpartum client is 7 days after delivery. The nurse notes pinkish-brown discharge
on the perineal pad. The nurse should document this as which type of lochia?
A Rubra
B Serosa
C Alba
D Purulenta
Correct Answer: B Lochia serosa is pinkish-brown and occurs from days 4–10 postpartum
as the lochia transitions from rubra to alba.
A — Lochia rubra is bright red and occurs during the first 1–3 days.
C — Lochia alba is whitish-yellow and occurs from days 10–14, lasting up to 3–6 weeks.
D — Purulenta is not a type of lochia; purulent drainage indicates infection.
Tested Concept: Lochia types — Serosa
Source Concept: Serosa — Pinkish-brown — 4-10 days
, 4 A postpartum client who is 2 weeks after delivery reports whitish-yellow vaginal
discharge. The nurse should document this as which type of lochia?
A Rubra
B Serosa
C Alba
D Mucoid
Correct Answer: C Lochia alba is whitish-yellow and occurs from days 10–14 postpartum,
but can last up to 3–6 weeks. It contains leukocytes, decidual cells, and mucus.
A — Lochia rubra is bright red and occurs during the first 1–3 days.
B — Lochia serosa is pinkish-brown and occurs from days 4–10.
D — Mucoid is not a standard type of lochia.
Tested Concept: Lochia types — Alba
Source Concept: Alba — Whitish-yellow — 10-14 days, can last 3-6 weeks
5 A postpartum client has a temperature of 100.8°F (38.2°C). Which action should the
nurse take?
A Document this as normal in the immediate postpartum period
B Assess for signs of infection and notify the healthcare provider
C Administer acetaminophen and reassess in 4 hours
D Apply cool compresses and encourage oral fluids
Correct Answer: B A temperature above 100.4°F (38°C) in the postpartum period is
indicative of a probable infection. The nurse should assess for other signs of infection and
notify the healthcare provider.
A — A temperature of 100.8°F is not normal and requires further investigation.
C — The nurse should notify the provider rather than simply medicating and reassessing.
D — Comfort measures may be appropriate but do not address the underlying infection.
Tested Concept: Temperature elevation in postpartum
Source Concept: Temperature above 100.4 — Probable infection
