Chap 18: Maternal
Physiologic Changes
1. A woman gave birth to an infant boy 10 hours ago.
Where would the nurse expect to locate this woman's
fundus?
a. One centimeter above the umbilicus
b. Two centimeters below the umbilicus
c. Midway between the umbilicus and the symphysis pubis
d. Nonpalpable abdominally - answer ✅✅ANS: A
Within 12 hours after delivery the fundus may be
approximately 1 cm above the umbilicus. The fundus
descends about 1 to 2 cm every 24 hours. Within 12 hours
after delivery the fundus may be approximately 1 cm above
,the umbilicus. By the sixth postpartum week the fundus
normally is halfway between the symphysis pubis and the
umbilicus. The fundus should be easily palpated using the
maternal umbilicus as a reference point.
2. Which woman is most likely to experience strong
afterpains?
a. A woman who experienced oligohydramnios
b. A woman who is a gravida 4, para 4-0-0-4
c. A woman who is bottle-feeding her infant
d. A woman whose infant weighed 5 pounds, 3 ounces -
answer ✅✅ANS: B
Afterpains are more common in multiparous women.
Afterpains are more noticeable with births in which the
uterus was greatly distended, as in a woman who
experienced polyhydramnios or a woman who delivered a
large infant. Breastfeeding may cause afterpains to
intensify.
, 3. A woman gave birth to a healthy infant boy 5 days ago.
What type of lochia would the nurse expect to find when
assessing this woman?
a. Lochia rubra
c. Lochia alba
b. Lochia sangra
d. Lochia serosa - answer ✅✅ANS: D
Lochia serosa, which consists of blood, serum, leukocytes,
and tissue debris, generally occurs around day 3 or 4 after
childbirth. Lochia rubra consists of blood and decidual and
trophoblastic debris. The flow generally lasts 3 to 4 days
and pales, becoming pink or brown. There is no such term
as lochia sangra. Lochia alba occurs in most women after
day 10 and can continue up to 6 weeks after childbirth.
4. Which hormone remains elevated in the immediate
postpartum period of the breastfeeding woman?
a. Estrogen
c. Prolactin
Physiologic Changes
1. A woman gave birth to an infant boy 10 hours ago.
Where would the nurse expect to locate this woman's
fundus?
a. One centimeter above the umbilicus
b. Two centimeters below the umbilicus
c. Midway between the umbilicus and the symphysis pubis
d. Nonpalpable abdominally - answer ✅✅ANS: A
Within 12 hours after delivery the fundus may be
approximately 1 cm above the umbilicus. The fundus
descends about 1 to 2 cm every 24 hours. Within 12 hours
after delivery the fundus may be approximately 1 cm above
,the umbilicus. By the sixth postpartum week the fundus
normally is halfway between the symphysis pubis and the
umbilicus. The fundus should be easily palpated using the
maternal umbilicus as a reference point.
2. Which woman is most likely to experience strong
afterpains?
a. A woman who experienced oligohydramnios
b. A woman who is a gravida 4, para 4-0-0-4
c. A woman who is bottle-feeding her infant
d. A woman whose infant weighed 5 pounds, 3 ounces -
answer ✅✅ANS: B
Afterpains are more common in multiparous women.
Afterpains are more noticeable with births in which the
uterus was greatly distended, as in a woman who
experienced polyhydramnios or a woman who delivered a
large infant. Breastfeeding may cause afterpains to
intensify.
, 3. A woman gave birth to a healthy infant boy 5 days ago.
What type of lochia would the nurse expect to find when
assessing this woman?
a. Lochia rubra
c. Lochia alba
b. Lochia sangra
d. Lochia serosa - answer ✅✅ANS: D
Lochia serosa, which consists of blood, serum, leukocytes,
and tissue debris, generally occurs around day 3 or 4 after
childbirth. Lochia rubra consists of blood and decidual and
trophoblastic debris. The flow generally lasts 3 to 4 days
and pales, becoming pink or brown. There is no such term
as lochia sangra. Lochia alba occurs in most women after
day 10 and can continue up to 6 weeks after childbirth.
4. Which hormone remains elevated in the immediate
postpartum period of the breastfeeding woman?
a. Estrogen
c. Prolactin
