, NUR 231 Exam 2 – Galen Maternal Nursing (2026) Actual
Questions with Correct Answers & Rationales | Guarantee
Pass
POSTPARTUM NURSING
1. Managing Breast Engorgement — Bottle-Feeding Mother
Question: the nurse is teaching a bottle-feeding mother how to manage engorgement when she
gets home. which of the following statements indicates a lack of understanding by the mother
on this topic
CORRECT ANSWER: running warm water over my breasts or expressing milk will help if my
breasts get overly full
Rationale: A bottle-feeding mother who wants to suppress lactation should avoid breast
stimulation, including warm water directly on the breasts and expressing milk. Cold applications
can help decrease discomfort and swelling.
2. Early Postpartum Hemorrhage
Question: reliable indicators of impending shock from early postpartum hemorrhage include all
of the following EXCEPT
CORRECT ANSWER: blood pressure
Rationale: Blood pressure may remain normal initially because compensatory mechanisms
maintain circulation. Pulse, skin changes, and other signs can occur earlier than hypotension.
3. Extreme Perineal Pain
Question: if a postpartum woman complains of extreme perineal pain, especially after having
received pain medication, the FIRST action by the nurse should be
CORRECT ANSWER: assess the perineum
Rationale: Severe or increasing perineal pain can indicate a hematoma. The nurse should assess
the perineum first to determine the cause.
, 4. Saturated Perineal Pad
Question: upon examining a patient on day 2 after spontaneous vaginal delivery, a nurse finds
the perineal pad to be completely saturated with bright red blood over the last 15 minutes. the
priority in this scenario is
CORRECT ANSWER: massage the fundus
Rationale: Heavy postpartum bleeding with a potentially boggy uterus suggests uterine atony.
Fundal massage stimulates uterine contraction and helps control hemorrhage.
5. Replenishment of Blood Loss
Question: blood loss of delivery is replenished by all of the following EXCEPT
CORRECT ANSWER: reduction of intravascular fluid through dehydration in labor
Rationale: During pregnancy, plasma volume increases substantially, providing a reserve that
helps compensate for normal blood loss during delivery. Dehydration does not
replenish intravascular volume.
6. Postpartum Bladder and Bowel Patterns
Question: which of the following information regarding postpartum women's bladder and
bowel patterns is FALSE
CORRECT ANSWER: rectal suppositories and enemas may be safely used by all clients in the
postpartum period
Rationale: Rectal medications and enemas are not appropriate for every postpartum client,
particularly those with certain perineal injuries or surgical procedures.
7. Birth Control After Delivery
Question: which of the following types of birth control are contraindicated after hospital
discharge for the breastfeeding mother in the early postpartum period
CORRECT ANSWER: oral contraceptives, mirena IUD
Rationale: Estrogen-containing oral contraceptives are generally avoided early postpartum in
breastfeeding women because estrogen may decrease milk production and increases
Questions with Correct Answers & Rationales | Guarantee
Pass
POSTPARTUM NURSING
1. Managing Breast Engorgement — Bottle-Feeding Mother
Question: the nurse is teaching a bottle-feeding mother how to manage engorgement when she
gets home. which of the following statements indicates a lack of understanding by the mother
on this topic
CORRECT ANSWER: running warm water over my breasts or expressing milk will help if my
breasts get overly full
Rationale: A bottle-feeding mother who wants to suppress lactation should avoid breast
stimulation, including warm water directly on the breasts and expressing milk. Cold applications
can help decrease discomfort and swelling.
2. Early Postpartum Hemorrhage
Question: reliable indicators of impending shock from early postpartum hemorrhage include all
of the following EXCEPT
CORRECT ANSWER: blood pressure
Rationale: Blood pressure may remain normal initially because compensatory mechanisms
maintain circulation. Pulse, skin changes, and other signs can occur earlier than hypotension.
3. Extreme Perineal Pain
Question: if a postpartum woman complains of extreme perineal pain, especially after having
received pain medication, the FIRST action by the nurse should be
CORRECT ANSWER: assess the perineum
Rationale: Severe or increasing perineal pain can indicate a hematoma. The nurse should assess
the perineum first to determine the cause.
, 4. Saturated Perineal Pad
Question: upon examining a patient on day 2 after spontaneous vaginal delivery, a nurse finds
the perineal pad to be completely saturated with bright red blood over the last 15 minutes. the
priority in this scenario is
CORRECT ANSWER: massage the fundus
Rationale: Heavy postpartum bleeding with a potentially boggy uterus suggests uterine atony.
Fundal massage stimulates uterine contraction and helps control hemorrhage.
5. Replenishment of Blood Loss
Question: blood loss of delivery is replenished by all of the following EXCEPT
CORRECT ANSWER: reduction of intravascular fluid through dehydration in labor
Rationale: During pregnancy, plasma volume increases substantially, providing a reserve that
helps compensate for normal blood loss during delivery. Dehydration does not
replenish intravascular volume.
6. Postpartum Bladder and Bowel Patterns
Question: which of the following information regarding postpartum women's bladder and
bowel patterns is FALSE
CORRECT ANSWER: rectal suppositories and enemas may be safely used by all clients in the
postpartum period
Rationale: Rectal medications and enemas are not appropriate for every postpartum client,
particularly those with certain perineal injuries or surgical procedures.
7. Birth Control After Delivery
Question: which of the following types of birth control are contraindicated after hospital
discharge for the breastfeeding mother in the early postpartum period
CORRECT ANSWER: oral contraceptives, mirena IUD
Rationale: Estrogen-containing oral contraceptives are generally avoided early postpartum in
breastfeeding women because estrogen may decrease milk production and increases
