Postpartum Care| Maternity Module 2 Questions and
Answers
What are normal respirations postpartum? What problems could we look for? Correct Ans-
Normal respirations are 16-24 breaths per minute.
If she is hypertensive we want to look for pulmonary edema which would be seen with a
wheezy wet cough or congestive heart failure.
If she is postoperative, we are looking for adalectasis (collapse of lung) when looking at
quality of respirations.
How much will blood volume increase by in pregnancy? Why? Correct Ans-40-50% so that
she can compensate for postpartum blood loss. This can cause variations in pulse and BP
How much blood loss is normal for vaginal? cesarean? Correct Ans-200-500mL for vaginal.
700-1000mL for cesarean.
How long does it take cardiac output to return to normal? Correct Ans-6-12 weeks
, Postpartum Care| Maternity Module 2 Questions and
Answers
What is leukocytosis? Why does it occur in the early postpartum period? How long does it
take to return to normal? Correct Ans-Increase in white blood cell count is leukocytosis.
It is a protective mechanism for laboring women.
Normal is 14000-16000 but may run up to 25000 because of stress of labor.
Look at the patient. if isolation in WBC increase then protective.
If elevated WBC, fever, looks sick and has pain or tenderness, heat swelling, etc. she may be
infected.
Platelets return to normal by 6th week.
What reproductive changes does the postpartum patient undergo? Correct Ans-1. Uterus
2. Lochia
3. Cervix
4. Vagina
, Postpartum Care| Maternity Module 2 Questions and
Answers
5. Breasts
During the postpartum period what happens to the soft internal layer of the uterine lining?
Correct Ans-It is sluffed off and discharged
What happens to the uterine cell walls postpartum? Correct Ans-They undergo atrophy
and get smaller so the uterus can shrink.
Three issues to look at with postpartum care Correct Ans-1. Safety of mom and baby
2. Moms ability to perform self-infant care and her comfort
3. Appropriate follow up (home visit for mom or baby or scheduled visits)
Postpartum stay Correct Ans-Vaginal: 2 days
Cesarean: up to 4 days
Education to new mom Correct Ans-1. Signs and symptoms of maternal and newborn
complications.
, Postpartum Care| Maternity Module 2 Questions and
Answers
2. Ascertain that mom and significant other are willing to seek appropriate care as needed
3. Help new parents know normal newborn care and feeding
What changes physically postpartum? Correct Ans-1. Vital Signs
2. CVS
3. Reproductive system
4. Urinary system
5. GI system
6. MS
7. Integumentary
8. Neurologic system
9. Immune system
What is the normal elevation in temperature postpartum and what causes this elevation?
Correct Ans-100.4 up to 24 hours after birth.
It can be caused by dehydration and the epidural.
Answers
What are normal respirations postpartum? What problems could we look for? Correct Ans-
Normal respirations are 16-24 breaths per minute.
If she is hypertensive we want to look for pulmonary edema which would be seen with a
wheezy wet cough or congestive heart failure.
If she is postoperative, we are looking for adalectasis (collapse of lung) when looking at
quality of respirations.
How much will blood volume increase by in pregnancy? Why? Correct Ans-40-50% so that
she can compensate for postpartum blood loss. This can cause variations in pulse and BP
How much blood loss is normal for vaginal? cesarean? Correct Ans-200-500mL for vaginal.
700-1000mL for cesarean.
How long does it take cardiac output to return to normal? Correct Ans-6-12 weeks
, Postpartum Care| Maternity Module 2 Questions and
Answers
What is leukocytosis? Why does it occur in the early postpartum period? How long does it
take to return to normal? Correct Ans-Increase in white blood cell count is leukocytosis.
It is a protective mechanism for laboring women.
Normal is 14000-16000 but may run up to 25000 because of stress of labor.
Look at the patient. if isolation in WBC increase then protective.
If elevated WBC, fever, looks sick and has pain or tenderness, heat swelling, etc. she may be
infected.
Platelets return to normal by 6th week.
What reproductive changes does the postpartum patient undergo? Correct Ans-1. Uterus
2. Lochia
3. Cervix
4. Vagina
, Postpartum Care| Maternity Module 2 Questions and
Answers
5. Breasts
During the postpartum period what happens to the soft internal layer of the uterine lining?
Correct Ans-It is sluffed off and discharged
What happens to the uterine cell walls postpartum? Correct Ans-They undergo atrophy
and get smaller so the uterus can shrink.
Three issues to look at with postpartum care Correct Ans-1. Safety of mom and baby
2. Moms ability to perform self-infant care and her comfort
3. Appropriate follow up (home visit for mom or baby or scheduled visits)
Postpartum stay Correct Ans-Vaginal: 2 days
Cesarean: up to 4 days
Education to new mom Correct Ans-1. Signs and symptoms of maternal and newborn
complications.
, Postpartum Care| Maternity Module 2 Questions and
Answers
2. Ascertain that mom and significant other are willing to seek appropriate care as needed
3. Help new parents know normal newborn care and feeding
What changes physically postpartum? Correct Ans-1. Vital Signs
2. CVS
3. Reproductive system
4. Urinary system
5. GI system
6. MS
7. Integumentary
8. Neurologic system
9. Immune system
What is the normal elevation in temperature postpartum and what causes this elevation?
Correct Ans-100.4 up to 24 hours after birth.
It can be caused by dehydration and the epidural.
