POSTPARTUM NCLEX EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
When caring for a postpartum client who has given birth vaginally, the nurse assesses
the client's respiratory status, noting that it has quickly returned to normal. The nurse
understands that which of the following is responsible for this change?
a) Decreased bladder pressure
b) Increased progesterone levels
c) Decreased intra-abdominal pressure
d) Use of anesthesia during delivery - Answer-Decreased intra-abdominal pressure
Correct
Explanation:
The nurse should identify decreased intra-abdominal pressure as the cause of the
respiratory system functioning normally. Progesterone levels do not influence the
respiratory system. Decreased bladder pressure does not affect breathing. Anesthesia
used during delivery causes the respiratory system to take a longer time to return to
normal.
A nurse is caring for a client in the postpartum period. The nurse observes that
distention of the abdominal muscles during pregnancy has resulted in separation of the
rectus muscles. What intervention should the nurse perform to assist in healing the
distended abdominal muscles?
a) Applying warm compresses
b) Massaging the muscles
c) Applying moist heat
d) Suggesting proper exercise - Answer-Suggesting proper exercise
Correct
Explanation:
The nurse should suggest proper exercise to the client to heal the distended abdominal
muscles. Application of warm compresses, application of moist heat, and massaging the
muscles gently are not suggested for distended abdominal muscles.
A woman who gave birth to a healthy newborn 2 months ago comes to the clinic and
reports discomfort during sexual intercourse. Which suggestion by the nurse would be
most appropriate?
a) "You might try using a water-soluble lubricant to ease the discomfort."
b) "This is entirely normal, and many women go through it. It just takes time."
c) "It takes a while to get your body back to its normal function after having a baby."
d) "Try doing Kegel exercises to get your pelvic muscles back in shape." - Answer-"You
might try using a water-soluble lubricant to ease the discomfort."
, Correct
Explanation:
Coital discomfort and localized dryness usually plague most postpartum women until
menstruation returns. Water-soluble lubricants can reduce discomfort during
intercourse. Although it may take some time for the woman's body to return to its
prepregnant state, telling the woman this does not address her concern. Telling her that
dyspareunia is normal and that it takes time to resolve also ignores her concern. Kegel
exercises are helpful for improving pelvic floor tone but would have no effect on vaginal
dryness.
A woman is bottle-feeding her baby. When the nurse comes into the room the woman
says that her breasts are painful and engorged. Which nursing intervention is
appropriate?
a) Ask if she wants a breast pump to empty her breasts
b) Assist the woman in placing ice packs on her breasts
c) Assist the woman into the shower and have her run cold water over her breasts
d) Explain to the woman that she should breastfeed because she is producing so much
milk - Answer-Assist the woman in placing ice packs on her breasts
Correct
Explanation:
If the breasts are engorged and the woman is bottle-feeding her newborn, instruct her to
keep a support bra on 24 hours per day. Cool compresses or an ice pack wrapped in a
towel will usually be soothing and help to suppress milk production.
A client gave birth to a healthy boy 2 days ago. Both mother and baby have had a
smooth recovery. The nurse enters the room and tells the client that she and her baby
will be discharged home today. The client states, "I do not want to go home." Which of
the following is the nurse's most appropriate response?
a) Tell the client that she must go home as per hospital policy.
b) Ask the client if she has any support in the home.
c) Inform the physician that the client does not want to go home.
d) Ask the client why she does not want to go home. - Answer-Ask the client why she
does not want to go home.
Correct
Explanation:
It is important for the nurse to identify the client's concerns and reasons for wanting to
stay in the hospital. Open-ended questioning facilitates both effective and therapeutic
communication and allows the nurse to address concerns appropriately. Asking about
supports at home implies that the nurse has made assumptions about why the client
may not want to go home. Informing the physician or telling the client that discharge is
hospital policy is not appropriate at this time, because the nurse has not addressed the
underlying reason for the client's comment. The client may have safety-related
concerns, undisclosed fears, or a need for increased support before discharge. It is
imperative that the nurse not make assumptions but further explore concerns.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
When caring for a postpartum client who has given birth vaginally, the nurse assesses
the client's respiratory status, noting that it has quickly returned to normal. The nurse
understands that which of the following is responsible for this change?
a) Decreased bladder pressure
b) Increased progesterone levels
c) Decreased intra-abdominal pressure
d) Use of anesthesia during delivery - Answer-Decreased intra-abdominal pressure
Correct
Explanation:
The nurse should identify decreased intra-abdominal pressure as the cause of the
respiratory system functioning normally. Progesterone levels do not influence the
respiratory system. Decreased bladder pressure does not affect breathing. Anesthesia
used during delivery causes the respiratory system to take a longer time to return to
normal.
A nurse is caring for a client in the postpartum period. The nurse observes that
distention of the abdominal muscles during pregnancy has resulted in separation of the
rectus muscles. What intervention should the nurse perform to assist in healing the
distended abdominal muscles?
a) Applying warm compresses
b) Massaging the muscles
c) Applying moist heat
d) Suggesting proper exercise - Answer-Suggesting proper exercise
Correct
Explanation:
The nurse should suggest proper exercise to the client to heal the distended abdominal
muscles. Application of warm compresses, application of moist heat, and massaging the
muscles gently are not suggested for distended abdominal muscles.
A woman who gave birth to a healthy newborn 2 months ago comes to the clinic and
reports discomfort during sexual intercourse. Which suggestion by the nurse would be
most appropriate?
a) "You might try using a water-soluble lubricant to ease the discomfort."
b) "This is entirely normal, and many women go through it. It just takes time."
c) "It takes a while to get your body back to its normal function after having a baby."
d) "Try doing Kegel exercises to get your pelvic muscles back in shape." - Answer-"You
might try using a water-soluble lubricant to ease the discomfort."
, Correct
Explanation:
Coital discomfort and localized dryness usually plague most postpartum women until
menstruation returns. Water-soluble lubricants can reduce discomfort during
intercourse. Although it may take some time for the woman's body to return to its
prepregnant state, telling the woman this does not address her concern. Telling her that
dyspareunia is normal and that it takes time to resolve also ignores her concern. Kegel
exercises are helpful for improving pelvic floor tone but would have no effect on vaginal
dryness.
A woman is bottle-feeding her baby. When the nurse comes into the room the woman
says that her breasts are painful and engorged. Which nursing intervention is
appropriate?
a) Ask if she wants a breast pump to empty her breasts
b) Assist the woman in placing ice packs on her breasts
c) Assist the woman into the shower and have her run cold water over her breasts
d) Explain to the woman that she should breastfeed because she is producing so much
milk - Answer-Assist the woman in placing ice packs on her breasts
Correct
Explanation:
If the breasts are engorged and the woman is bottle-feeding her newborn, instruct her to
keep a support bra on 24 hours per day. Cool compresses or an ice pack wrapped in a
towel will usually be soothing and help to suppress milk production.
A client gave birth to a healthy boy 2 days ago. Both mother and baby have had a
smooth recovery. The nurse enters the room and tells the client that she and her baby
will be discharged home today. The client states, "I do not want to go home." Which of
the following is the nurse's most appropriate response?
a) Tell the client that she must go home as per hospital policy.
b) Ask the client if she has any support in the home.
c) Inform the physician that the client does not want to go home.
d) Ask the client why she does not want to go home. - Answer-Ask the client why she
does not want to go home.
Correct
Explanation:
It is important for the nurse to identify the client's concerns and reasons for wanting to
stay in the hospital. Open-ended questioning facilitates both effective and therapeutic
communication and allows the nurse to address concerns appropriately. Asking about
supports at home implies that the nurse has made assumptions about why the client
may not want to go home. Informing the physician or telling the client that discharge is
hospital policy is not appropriate at this time, because the nurse has not addressed the
underlying reason for the client's comment. The client may have safety-related
concerns, undisclosed fears, or a need for increased support before discharge. It is
imperative that the nurse not make assumptions but further explore concerns.
