Galen College NUR 243 Maternal Exam 4 Postpartum & Newborn Care
100 Questions with Answers & Rationales 2026/2027
Practice questions 1 to 4
1. Two hours after vaginal birth, the fundus is boggy with heavy bleeding. What
is the priority?
A. Massage the fundus while activating hemorrhage assessment and help
B. Give oral fluids as the only treatment
C. Encourage sleep without assessment
D. Wait for routine rounds
2. Why does a firm postpartum uterus help limit bleeding?
A. It prevents all clotting disorders
B. It eliminates every laceration
C. It stops all blood flow to the kidneys
D. Contraction compresses vessels at the placental site
3. A postpartum fundus is elevated and displaced to the right. Which cause
should be assessed?
A. Bladder distention
B. Normal newborn feeding
C. Maternal eye color
D. A healed skin scar
4. A postpartum client cannot void and the fundus is displaced. What should the
nurse do?
A. Ignore the bladder until discharge
B. Give a diuretic without an order
C. Assist voiding and follow the retention protocol
D. Restrict all fluids indefinitely
,Practice questions 5 to 8
5. Which medication is commonly first-line for uterine atony?
A. Magnesium as a uterotonic
B. Insulin
C. Oxytocin
D. Levothyroxine
6. Which history should be reported before methylergonovine administration?
A. Mild nearsightedness
B. Hypertension
C. Remote ear infection
D. Preference for vegetarian meals
7. Which history is important before carboprost administration?
A. Corrective glasses
B. Remote wrist fracture
C. Asthma
D. Lactose intolerance alone
8. Heavy bleeding continues despite a firm uterus. Which cause should be
considered?
A. Genital tract laceration
B. Expected ovulation
C. Normal lochia in every case
D. Uterine atony as the only possible cause
,Practice questions 9 to 12
9. A postpartum client has severe perineal pain and pressure with little visible
bleeding. Which complication is concerning?
A. Vulvar or vaginal hematoma
B. Normal discomfort in every case
C. Uncomplicated uterine involution
D. Physiologic breast fullness
10. Why is quantitative blood-loss measurement useful?
A. It removes the need for assessment
B. Visual estimation can underestimate hemorrhage
C. It proves no retained placenta exists
D. It replaces vital signs
11. A blood-soaked pad weighs 140 g and its dry weight was 20 g. What is the
approximate blood volume?
A. 120 mL
B. 20 mL
C. 160 mL
D. 140 mL
12. Which postpartum finding suggests impaired perfusion?
A. Stable blood pressure and alertness
B. Tachycardia with dizziness and low urine output
C. Improving appetite alone
D. Normal warm extremities with adequate output
, Practice questions 13 to 16
13. What are the four Ts of postpartum hemorrhage causes?
A. Thyroid, tremor, tinnitus, tongue
B. Tone, trauma, tissue, thrombin
C. Temperature, tears, thirst, timing
D. Tone, taste, testing, touch
14. Why may retained placental tissue cause hemorrhage?
A. It prevents infection
B. It guarantees normal involution
C. It permanently stops lochia
D. It interferes with effective uterine contraction
15. A postpartum client has persistent heavy bleeding and instability. What
should the nurse do?
A. Activate the hemorrhage response and continue rapid assessment and ordered
treatment
B. Wait for a low hemoglobin before acting
C. Offer only routine reassurance
D. Complete discharge paperwork first
16. Which lochia is commonly expected in the first few days?
A. Purulent discharge
B. Lochia rubra
C. No discharge in every client
D. Lochia alba immediately in every client
100 Questions with Answers & Rationales 2026/2027
Practice questions 1 to 4
1. Two hours after vaginal birth, the fundus is boggy with heavy bleeding. What
is the priority?
A. Massage the fundus while activating hemorrhage assessment and help
B. Give oral fluids as the only treatment
C. Encourage sleep without assessment
D. Wait for routine rounds
2. Why does a firm postpartum uterus help limit bleeding?
A. It prevents all clotting disorders
B. It eliminates every laceration
C. It stops all blood flow to the kidneys
D. Contraction compresses vessels at the placental site
3. A postpartum fundus is elevated and displaced to the right. Which cause
should be assessed?
A. Bladder distention
B. Normal newborn feeding
C. Maternal eye color
D. A healed skin scar
4. A postpartum client cannot void and the fundus is displaced. What should the
nurse do?
A. Ignore the bladder until discharge
B. Give a diuretic without an order
C. Assist voiding and follow the retention protocol
D. Restrict all fluids indefinitely
,Practice questions 5 to 8
5. Which medication is commonly first-line for uterine atony?
A. Magnesium as a uterotonic
B. Insulin
C. Oxytocin
D. Levothyroxine
6. Which history should be reported before methylergonovine administration?
A. Mild nearsightedness
B. Hypertension
C. Remote ear infection
D. Preference for vegetarian meals
7. Which history is important before carboprost administration?
A. Corrective glasses
B. Remote wrist fracture
C. Asthma
D. Lactose intolerance alone
8. Heavy bleeding continues despite a firm uterus. Which cause should be
considered?
A. Genital tract laceration
B. Expected ovulation
C. Normal lochia in every case
D. Uterine atony as the only possible cause
,Practice questions 9 to 12
9. A postpartum client has severe perineal pain and pressure with little visible
bleeding. Which complication is concerning?
A. Vulvar or vaginal hematoma
B. Normal discomfort in every case
C. Uncomplicated uterine involution
D. Physiologic breast fullness
10. Why is quantitative blood-loss measurement useful?
A. It removes the need for assessment
B. Visual estimation can underestimate hemorrhage
C. It proves no retained placenta exists
D. It replaces vital signs
11. A blood-soaked pad weighs 140 g and its dry weight was 20 g. What is the
approximate blood volume?
A. 120 mL
B. 20 mL
C. 160 mL
D. 140 mL
12. Which postpartum finding suggests impaired perfusion?
A. Stable blood pressure and alertness
B. Tachycardia with dizziness and low urine output
C. Improving appetite alone
D. Normal warm extremities with adequate output
, Practice questions 13 to 16
13. What are the four Ts of postpartum hemorrhage causes?
A. Thyroid, tremor, tinnitus, tongue
B. Tone, trauma, tissue, thrombin
C. Temperature, tears, thirst, timing
D. Tone, taste, testing, touch
14. Why may retained placental tissue cause hemorrhage?
A. It prevents infection
B. It guarantees normal involution
C. It permanently stops lochia
D. It interferes with effective uterine contraction
15. A postpartum client has persistent heavy bleeding and instability. What
should the nurse do?
A. Activate the hemorrhage response and continue rapid assessment and ordered
treatment
B. Wait for a low hemoglobin before acting
C. Offer only routine reassurance
D. Complete discharge paperwork first
16. Which lochia is commonly expected in the first few days?
A. Purulent discharge
B. Lochia rubra
C. No discharge in every client
D. Lochia alba immediately in every client
