POSTPARTUM ATI EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS. VERIFIED 2026.
What is the fourth stage of labor? - ANS The maternal recovery period starting with the
delivery of the placenta and lasts from 1-4 hours. This is when parent-newborn bonding should
start to occur.
1) What is the main of of goal during the immediate postpartum period?
2) What are the other goals during this time? - ANS 1) Prevent postpartum hemorrhage.
2) Assist in pt's recovery, identify deviations in expected recovery process, provide comfort
measures & pharmacologic pain relief as prescribed, provide pt education about newborn and
self-care, provide baby-friendly activities to promote infant/family bonding
What is the puerperium? - ANS The postpartum period; includes physiological and
psychological adjustments; begins after delivery of placenta and ends when the body returns to
the prepregnant state which takes about 6 weeks.
What physiological changes do mom's experience postpartum? - ANS Uterine involution
(shrinkage), lochia flow, cervical involution, decrease in vaginal distention, alteration in ovarian
function and menstruation, cardiovascular/urinary tract/breast/GI tract changes
What are the greatest risks during the postpartum period? - ANS Hemorrhage, shock,
infection
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,What is oxytocin? - ANS A hormone released from the pituitary gland that coordinates and
strengthens uterine contractions
What stimulates the release of endogenous oxytocin from the pituitary gland? -
ANS Breastfeeding
What is pitocin (exogenous oxytocin) administered for? - ANS May be administered
postpartum to improve the quality of uterine contractions.
What prevents excessive bleeding and hemorrhaging postpartum? - ANS A firm and
contracted uterus
What are after pains? - ANS Uncomfortable uterine cramping
What happens hormonally after the delivery of the placenta? - ANS Estrogen, progesterone,
and placental enzyme insulinase decrease, thus resulting in decreased blood glucose, estrogen,
and progesterone levels.
What is decreased estrogen associated with? - ANS Breast engorgement, diaphoresis and
diuresis of excess extracellular fluid accumulated during pregnancy. Also diminishes vaginal
lubrication so local dryness and intercourse discomfot may persist until ovarian function returns
and menstruation resumes
What is decreased progesterone associated with? - ANS Increase in muscle tone throughout
the body
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, What is decreased placental enzyme insulinase associated with? - ANS Reversal of the
diabetogenic effects of pregnancy, which lowers blood glucose levels immediately in the
puerpium
Is there a difference between lactating and non-lactating women regarding menstruation? -
ANS Yes, they differ in the timing of the first ovulation and the resumption of menstruation.
What are the differences between lactating and non-lactating women regarding prolactin
levels? - ANS Lactating: serum prolactin levels remain elevated and suppress ovulation.
Non-lactating: prolactin declines and reaches the prepregnant level by the third week
postpartum
What are the differences between lactating and non-lactating women regarding the return of
ovulation? - ANS Lactating: the return of ovulation is influenced by breastfeeding frequency,
the length of each feeding and the use of supplementation
Non-lactating: ovulation occurs 27-75 days after birth
When does menses resume in non-lactating women? - ANS Lactating: length of time to the
first postpartum ovulation is approximately 6 months
Non-lactating: menses resume by 4-6 weeks postpartum
What affects prolactin levels in lactating women? - ANS The infant's suck is believed to affect
prolactin levels
Why is RhoGAM administered? - ANS It is an RH(D) immune globulin administered within 72
hrs to women who are Rh-negative and give birth to infants who are Rh-positive to prevent
sensitization in future pregnancies
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
AND ANSWERS. VERIFIED 2026.
What is the fourth stage of labor? - ANS The maternal recovery period starting with the
delivery of the placenta and lasts from 1-4 hours. This is when parent-newborn bonding should
start to occur.
1) What is the main of of goal during the immediate postpartum period?
2) What are the other goals during this time? - ANS 1) Prevent postpartum hemorrhage.
2) Assist in pt's recovery, identify deviations in expected recovery process, provide comfort
measures & pharmacologic pain relief as prescribed, provide pt education about newborn and
self-care, provide baby-friendly activities to promote infant/family bonding
What is the puerperium? - ANS The postpartum period; includes physiological and
psychological adjustments; begins after delivery of placenta and ends when the body returns to
the prepregnant state which takes about 6 weeks.
What physiological changes do mom's experience postpartum? - ANS Uterine involution
(shrinkage), lochia flow, cervical involution, decrease in vaginal distention, alteration in ovarian
function and menstruation, cardiovascular/urinary tract/breast/GI tract changes
What are the greatest risks during the postpartum period? - ANS Hemorrhage, shock,
infection
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,What is oxytocin? - ANS A hormone released from the pituitary gland that coordinates and
strengthens uterine contractions
What stimulates the release of endogenous oxytocin from the pituitary gland? -
ANS Breastfeeding
What is pitocin (exogenous oxytocin) administered for? - ANS May be administered
postpartum to improve the quality of uterine contractions.
What prevents excessive bleeding and hemorrhaging postpartum? - ANS A firm and
contracted uterus
What are after pains? - ANS Uncomfortable uterine cramping
What happens hormonally after the delivery of the placenta? - ANS Estrogen, progesterone,
and placental enzyme insulinase decrease, thus resulting in decreased blood glucose, estrogen,
and progesterone levels.
What is decreased estrogen associated with? - ANS Breast engorgement, diaphoresis and
diuresis of excess extracellular fluid accumulated during pregnancy. Also diminishes vaginal
lubrication so local dryness and intercourse discomfot may persist until ovarian function returns
and menstruation resumes
What is decreased progesterone associated with? - ANS Increase in muscle tone throughout
the body
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, What is decreased placental enzyme insulinase associated with? - ANS Reversal of the
diabetogenic effects of pregnancy, which lowers blood glucose levels immediately in the
puerpium
Is there a difference between lactating and non-lactating women regarding menstruation? -
ANS Yes, they differ in the timing of the first ovulation and the resumption of menstruation.
What are the differences between lactating and non-lactating women regarding prolactin
levels? - ANS Lactating: serum prolactin levels remain elevated and suppress ovulation.
Non-lactating: prolactin declines and reaches the prepregnant level by the third week
postpartum
What are the differences between lactating and non-lactating women regarding the return of
ovulation? - ANS Lactating: the return of ovulation is influenced by breastfeeding frequency,
the length of each feeding and the use of supplementation
Non-lactating: ovulation occurs 27-75 days after birth
When does menses resume in non-lactating women? - ANS Lactating: length of time to the
first postpartum ovulation is approximately 6 months
Non-lactating: menses resume by 4-6 weeks postpartum
What affects prolactin levels in lactating women? - ANS The infant's suck is believed to affect
prolactin levels
Why is RhoGAM administered? - ANS It is an RH(D) immune globulin administered within 72
hrs to women who are Rh-negative and give birth to infants who are Rh-positive to prevent
sensitization in future pregnancies
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
