ATI RN
Postpartum Care NCLEX Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
A postpartum patient comes to the clinic for her 6-week postpartum checkup. When assessing the patient's cervix, how should the nurse expect the cervix to appear?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Symmetrically round external os. At 6 weeks postpartum, the cervix should have healed, and the external os should appear symmetrically round. This indicates proper healing and restoration of the cervix to its pre-pregnancy state. Small lacerations (choice A) would not be expected at this point as healing should have occurred. A dilation of 3 cm (choice B) is not appropriate as the cervix should be closed postpartum. A firm and thick cervix (choice D) would not be expected as the cervix should have softened and returned to its normal consistency by this time.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is providing education to a postpartum woman about exercises to strengthen the pelvis musculature. Which instruction should be included?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: "Perform Kegel exercises." Kegel exercises are specifically designed to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which can help improve bladder control and support the pelvic organs postpartum. Ambulating and aerobics classes focus on overall body movement but not specifically on pelvic muscle strengthening. Passive range-of-motion exercises are beneficial for joint flexibility but do not target the pelvic muscles directly. Therefore, instructing the postpartum woman to perform Kegel exercises is the most appropriate recommendation to address her specific needs for pelvic muscle strengthening.
Question 3 of 5
Which nursing care goal is the highest priority for a woman who had a vaginal delivery 3 hours earlier?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: The client will have a moderate lochia flow. This is the highest priority because excessive or scant lochia flow can indicate postpartum hemorrhage or retained placental fragments, which are serious postpartum complications. Ensuring a moderate lochia flow is essential for assessing the woman's postpartum recovery and preventing potential complications. Choice A (The client will wear a well-supported bra) is not a priority in the immediate postpartum period and does not directly impact the woman's physical health. Choice B (The client will eat 100% of her meals) is important for the woman's nutrition and recovery but is not as critical as monitoring the lochia flow to prevent complications like hemorrhage. Choice D (The client will ambulate to the bathroom) is important for preventing complications like blood clots and promoting circulation, but monitoring the lochia flow takes precedence in the immediate postpartum period to assess for any signs of hemorrhage or infection.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is preparing a postpartum patient for discharge. Which patient teaching is most important for the nurse to provide?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: The signs and symptoms of secondary hemorrhage. This is the most important teaching for the nurse to provide because it is a potentially life-threatening complication that requires immediate medical attention. Secondary hemorrhage can occur after the initial postpartum period and can lead to severe bleeding. Understanding the signs and symptoms of secondary hemorrhage can help the patient seek prompt medical care if needed. Choice A: The signs and symptoms of uterine infection are important to know, but they are usually treated with antibiotics and are not as immediately life-threatening as secondary hemorrhage. Choice C: Postpartum depression is a serious concern but does not require immediate medical attention like secondary hemorrhage. Choice D: A boggy uterus is a sign of uterine atony, which can lead to hemorrhage, but teaching about secondary hemorrhage takes precedence because it directly addresses a more severe form of bleeding that requires urgent intervention.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is performing a uterus assessment on a patient who is 20 hours postpartum. The nurse finds the fundus of the uterus to be soft and boggy. In addition, the uterus is displaced to the left and moderate bleeding is noted. If the uterus does respond to uterine massage, which actions does the nurse implement?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Place an emergency call to the HCP. In this scenario, the patient is showing signs of uterine atony, which is a common cause of postpartum hemorrhage. A soft, boggy fundus with displacement and moderate bleeding indicates inadequate uterine contractions. If uterine massage does not improve the condition, it is crucial to involve the healthcare provider immediately for further interventions such as administering uterotonic medications or considering manual removal of retained placental fragments. Options A and B are not the priority in this critical situation, and option C, administering oxytocin, can be done but the immediate action should be to seek guidance from the healthcare provider due to the severity of the condition.