NSG320 - OB - Ch. 18 (Perry) - Maternal Physiologic
Changes(Complete solutions)
AFTERPAINS correct answers Periodic relaxation and vigorous contractions are more common
in subsequent pregnancies and may cause uncomfortable cramping called afterpains (afterbirth
pains), which typically resolve in 3 to 7 days. (Perry 484)
Perry, Shannon, Marilyn Hockenberry, Deitra Lowdermilk, David Wilson. Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 5th Edition. Mosby, 092013. VitalBook file.
PUERPERIUM OR FOURTH TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY correct answers The postpartum
period is the interval between the birth of the newborn and the return of the reproductive organs
to their normal nonpregnant state. This period is sometimes referred to as the puerperium, or
fourth trimester of pregnancy. Although the puerperium has traditionally been considered to last
6 weeks, this time frame varies among women. (Perry 483)
Perry, Shannon, Marilyn Hockenberry, Deitra Lowdermilk, David Wilson. Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 5th Edition. Mosby, 092013. VitalBook file.
INVOLUTION correct answers The return of the uterus to a nonpregnant state after birth is
called involution. (Perry 483)
Perry, Shannon, Marilyn Hockenberry, Deitra Lowdermilk, David Wilson. Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 5th Edition. Mosby, 092013. VitalBook file.
LOCHIA ALBA correct answers In most women, about 10 days after childbirth the drainage
becomes yellow to white (lochia alba). Lochia alba consists of leukocytes, decidua, epithelial
cells, mucus, serum, and bacteria. (Perry 484)
Perry, Shannon, Marilyn Hockenberry, Deitra Lowdermilk, David Wilson. Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 5th Edition. Mosby, 092013. VitalBook file.
LOCHIA RUBRA correct answers Lochia rubra consists mainly of blood and decidual and
trophoblastic debris. The flow pales, becoming pink or brown (lochia serosa) after 3 to 4 days.
(Perry 484)
Perry, Shannon, Marilyn Hockenberry, Deitra Lowdermilk, David Wilson. Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 5th Edition. Mosby, 092013. VitalBook file.
LOCHIA SEROSA correct answers Lochia serosa consists of old blood, serum, leukocytes, and
tissue debris. The median duration of lochia serosa discharge is 22 to 27 days. (Perry 484)
Perry, Shannon, Marilyn Hockenberry, Deitra Lowdermilk, David Wilson. Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 5th Edition. Mosby, 092013. VitalBook file.
, LOCHIA correct answers Postbirth uterine discharge, commonly called lochia, initially is bright
red (lochia rubra) and may contain small clots. (Perry 484)
Perry, Shannon, Marilyn Hockenberry, Deitra Lowdermilk, David Wilson. Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 5th Edition. Mosby, 092013. VitalBook file.
PELVIC RELAXATION correct answers Later in life, women can experience pelvic relaxation
—the lengthening and weakening of the fascial supports of pelvic structures. These structures
include the uterus, upper posterior vaginal wall, urethra, bladder, and rectum. Although
relaxation can occur in any woman, it is commonly a direct but delayed complication of
childbirth. (Perry 485)
Perry, Shannon, Marilyn Hockenberry, Deitra Lowdermilk, David Wilson. Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 5th Edition. Mosby, 092013. VitalBook file.
PROLACTIN correct answers Prolactin levels in blood rise progressively throughout pregnancy.
After birth, as levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease, prolactin levels increase. (Perry 486)
Perry, Shannon, Marilyn Hockenberry, Deitra Lowdermilk, David Wilson. Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 5th Edition. Mosby, 092013. VitalBook file.
RUGAE correct answers Postpartum estrogen deprivation is responsible for the thinness of the
vaginal mucosa and the absence of rugae. The greatly distended, smooth-walled vagina gradually
decreases in size and regains tone, although it never completely returns to its prepregnancy state
(Cunningham, Leveno, Bloom, et al., 2010). Rugae reappear within 3 weeks, but they are never
as prominent as they are in the nulliparous woman. Most rugae are permanently flattened. (Perry
485)
Perry, Shannon, Marilyn Hockenberry, Deitra Lowdermilk, David Wilson. Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 5th Edition. Mosby, 092013. VitalBook file.
SUBINVOLUTION correct answers Subinvolution is the failure of the uterus to return to a
nonpregnant state. The most common causes of subinvolution are retained placental fragments
and infection (see Chapter 21). (Perry 483)
Perry, Shannon, Marilyn Hockenberry, Deitra Lowdermilk, David Wilson. Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 5th Edition. Mosby, 092013. VitalBook file.
In the process of involution, where is the fundus right after birth and then where would it
normally be located 12 hours later? correct answers The fundus right after birth, at the end of the
third stage of labor, the uterus is in the midline, approximately 2 cm below the level of the
umbilicus,
with the fundus resting on the sacral promontory.
Changes(Complete solutions)
AFTERPAINS correct answers Periodic relaxation and vigorous contractions are more common
in subsequent pregnancies and may cause uncomfortable cramping called afterpains (afterbirth
pains), which typically resolve in 3 to 7 days. (Perry 484)
Perry, Shannon, Marilyn Hockenberry, Deitra Lowdermilk, David Wilson. Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 5th Edition. Mosby, 092013. VitalBook file.
PUERPERIUM OR FOURTH TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY correct answers The postpartum
period is the interval between the birth of the newborn and the return of the reproductive organs
to their normal nonpregnant state. This period is sometimes referred to as the puerperium, or
fourth trimester of pregnancy. Although the puerperium has traditionally been considered to last
6 weeks, this time frame varies among women. (Perry 483)
Perry, Shannon, Marilyn Hockenberry, Deitra Lowdermilk, David Wilson. Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 5th Edition. Mosby, 092013. VitalBook file.
INVOLUTION correct answers The return of the uterus to a nonpregnant state after birth is
called involution. (Perry 483)
Perry, Shannon, Marilyn Hockenberry, Deitra Lowdermilk, David Wilson. Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 5th Edition. Mosby, 092013. VitalBook file.
LOCHIA ALBA correct answers In most women, about 10 days after childbirth the drainage
becomes yellow to white (lochia alba). Lochia alba consists of leukocytes, decidua, epithelial
cells, mucus, serum, and bacteria. (Perry 484)
Perry, Shannon, Marilyn Hockenberry, Deitra Lowdermilk, David Wilson. Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 5th Edition. Mosby, 092013. VitalBook file.
LOCHIA RUBRA correct answers Lochia rubra consists mainly of blood and decidual and
trophoblastic debris. The flow pales, becoming pink or brown (lochia serosa) after 3 to 4 days.
(Perry 484)
Perry, Shannon, Marilyn Hockenberry, Deitra Lowdermilk, David Wilson. Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 5th Edition. Mosby, 092013. VitalBook file.
LOCHIA SEROSA correct answers Lochia serosa consists of old blood, serum, leukocytes, and
tissue debris. The median duration of lochia serosa discharge is 22 to 27 days. (Perry 484)
Perry, Shannon, Marilyn Hockenberry, Deitra Lowdermilk, David Wilson. Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 5th Edition. Mosby, 092013. VitalBook file.
, LOCHIA correct answers Postbirth uterine discharge, commonly called lochia, initially is bright
red (lochia rubra) and may contain small clots. (Perry 484)
Perry, Shannon, Marilyn Hockenberry, Deitra Lowdermilk, David Wilson. Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 5th Edition. Mosby, 092013. VitalBook file.
PELVIC RELAXATION correct answers Later in life, women can experience pelvic relaxation
—the lengthening and weakening of the fascial supports of pelvic structures. These structures
include the uterus, upper posterior vaginal wall, urethra, bladder, and rectum. Although
relaxation can occur in any woman, it is commonly a direct but delayed complication of
childbirth. (Perry 485)
Perry, Shannon, Marilyn Hockenberry, Deitra Lowdermilk, David Wilson. Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 5th Edition. Mosby, 092013. VitalBook file.
PROLACTIN correct answers Prolactin levels in blood rise progressively throughout pregnancy.
After birth, as levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease, prolactin levels increase. (Perry 486)
Perry, Shannon, Marilyn Hockenberry, Deitra Lowdermilk, David Wilson. Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 5th Edition. Mosby, 092013. VitalBook file.
RUGAE correct answers Postpartum estrogen deprivation is responsible for the thinness of the
vaginal mucosa and the absence of rugae. The greatly distended, smooth-walled vagina gradually
decreases in size and regains tone, although it never completely returns to its prepregnancy state
(Cunningham, Leveno, Bloom, et al., 2010). Rugae reappear within 3 weeks, but they are never
as prominent as they are in the nulliparous woman. Most rugae are permanently flattened. (Perry
485)
Perry, Shannon, Marilyn Hockenberry, Deitra Lowdermilk, David Wilson. Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 5th Edition. Mosby, 092013. VitalBook file.
SUBINVOLUTION correct answers Subinvolution is the failure of the uterus to return to a
nonpregnant state. The most common causes of subinvolution are retained placental fragments
and infection (see Chapter 21). (Perry 483)
Perry, Shannon, Marilyn Hockenberry, Deitra Lowdermilk, David Wilson. Maternal Child
Nursing Care, 5th Edition. Mosby, 092013. VitalBook file.
In the process of involution, where is the fundus right after birth and then where would it
normally be located 12 hours later? correct answers The fundus right after birth, at the end of the
third stage of labor, the uterus is in the midline, approximately 2 cm below the level of the
umbilicus,
with the fundus resting on the sacral promontory.
