OB EXAM #2 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION | NEW
UPDATE 2026/27 | ALREADY GRADED A+
Postpartum Assessments & Vital Signs
Q: A woman who is 12 hours postpartum had a pulse rate around 80 beats per minute
during pregnancy. Now, the nurse finds a pulse of 60 beats per minute. Which of these
actions should the nurse take?
• A) Document the finding, as it is a normal finding at this time.
• B) Contact the physician, as it indicates early DIC.
• C) Contact the physician, as it is a first sign of postpartum eclampsia.
• D) Obtain an order for a CBC, as it suggests postpartum anemia.
ANSWER: A
Rationale: Pulse rates of 40 to 80 beats per minute (bpm) are normal during the
first week after birth. This pulse rate is called puerperal bradycardia. During
pregnancy, the heavy gravid uterus causes a decreased flow of venous blood to
the heart. After giving birth, there is an increase in intravascular volume. The
cardiac output is most likely caused by an increased stroke volume from the
venous return now. The elevated stroke volume leads to a decreased heart rate.
Q: A nurse has been assigned to care for a client who has just given birth. How
frequently should the nurse perform assessments during the first hour of birth?
• A. every 30 minutes
• B. every 15 minutes
• C. every 30 minutes
• D. every 45 minutes
ANSWER: B
Rationale: Postpartum assessment is typically performed every 15 minutes for
the first hour. After the second hour assessment is performed every 30 minutes.
The client has to be monitored closely during the first hour after birth.
Postpartum Complications & Care
Q: Frequent voiding of small amounts (less than _____ mL) suggests urinary retention
with overflow, and catheterization may be necessary to empty the bladder to restore
tone.
ANSWER: 150
,Q: During assessment of the mother during postpartum period, what sign should alert
the nurse that the client is likely experiencing uterine atony?
• A. fundus feels firm
• B. foul-smelling urine
• C. purulent vaginal discharge
• D. boggy or relaxed uterus
ANSWER: D
Rationale: A boggy or relaxed uterus is a sign of uterine atony. This can be a
result of bladder distention, which displaces the uterus upward and to the right, or
retained placental fragments. Foul-smelling urine and purulent drainage are signs
of infection but are not related to uterine atony. The firm fundus is normal.
Q: The nurse observes a 2 in lochia stain on the perineal pad 1 day postpartum. Which
of the following should the nurse do next?
• A. reassess the client in 1 hour.
• B. Document the lochia as scant
• C. ask when the peri pad was changed
• D. massage the fundus
ANSWER: B
Rationale: This is a normal finding postpartum. Scant is 1-2 inch spot on a pad
approximately 10 ml loss.
Q: The nurse is caring for a client who has just received an episiotomy. The nurse
observes that the laceration extends through the perineal area and continues through
the anterior rectal wall. How does the nurse classify the laceration?
• A. 1st degree
• B. 2nd degree
• C. 3rd degree
• D. 4th degree
ANSWER: D
Rationale: The nurse should classify the laceration as 4th degree because it
continues through the anterior rectal wall. 1st degree involves only skin and
superficial structures above muscles. 2nd degree extends through perineal
muscles. 3rd degree lacerations extend through the anal sphincter but not
through the anterior rectal wall.
Q: A nurse is applying ice packs to the perineal area of a client who has had a vaginal
birth. Which intervention should the nurse perform to ensure that the client gets the
optimum benefits of the procedure?
• A. apply ice packs directly to the peri area
• B. apply ice packs for 40 minutes continuously
, • C. ensure ice pack is changed frequently
• D. use ice packs for a week after birth
ANSWER: C
Rationale: It should be changed frequently to promote normal hygiene.
Newborn Respiratory Conditions
Q: Seesaw respirations is seen in
ANSWER: Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Q: Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN)
ANSWER: Mild respiratory distress; pulmonary liquid removed slowly or incompletely;
resolution by 72 hours of age
A first time mother is nervous about breast feeding. which intervention would the
nurse perform to reduce anxiety about breastfeeding?
A. reassure the mother that some newborns latch and catch right away and some
take more time to be patient.
b. explain that breast feeding comes naturally to all mothers.
c. tell her that breast feeding is a mechanical procedure that involves burping
once in a while and she should try to finish quickly.
d. ensure that the mother breast feeeds the newborn using the cradle method. -
ANSWERS a
A client breastfeeding a newborn reports sore nipples. Which intervention can the
nurse suggest to alleviate the clients condition?
A. recommend a moisturizing soap to clean nipples.
b. encourage use of breast pads with plastic liners
c. offer suggestions based on observation to correct positioning or latching
d. fasten the nursing bra flaps immediately after feeding - ANSWERS c
, offer suggestions based on observation to correct positioning or latching
A client who has given birth is being discharges from the the health care facility.
She wants to know how safe it would be for her to have intercourse. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse provide to the client regarding intercourse
after childbirth? - ANSWERS Resume intercourse if bright-red bleeding stops.
A client is Rh-negative and has given birth to a newborn who is Rh-positive. Within
how many hours should Rh immunoglobulin be inject - ANSWERS 72
Urinary retention is a major cause of __________, which allows excessive
bleeding. - ANSWERS uterine atony
uterine atony - ANSWERS The most common cause of postpartum
hemorrhage.
atony - ANSWERS lack of muscle tone
A client is Rh-negative and has given birth to her newborn. What should the nurse
do next? - ANSWERS Determine the newborn's blood type and rhesus.
Engorgement of breasts - ANSWERS Temporary swelling or fullness of the
breasts in response to increased blood flow when the milk begins to "come in".
Usually on the second or third day after birth.
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION | NEW
UPDATE 2026/27 | ALREADY GRADED A+
Postpartum Assessments & Vital Signs
Q: A woman who is 12 hours postpartum had a pulse rate around 80 beats per minute
during pregnancy. Now, the nurse finds a pulse of 60 beats per minute. Which of these
actions should the nurse take?
• A) Document the finding, as it is a normal finding at this time.
• B) Contact the physician, as it indicates early DIC.
• C) Contact the physician, as it is a first sign of postpartum eclampsia.
• D) Obtain an order for a CBC, as it suggests postpartum anemia.
ANSWER: A
Rationale: Pulse rates of 40 to 80 beats per minute (bpm) are normal during the
first week after birth. This pulse rate is called puerperal bradycardia. During
pregnancy, the heavy gravid uterus causes a decreased flow of venous blood to
the heart. After giving birth, there is an increase in intravascular volume. The
cardiac output is most likely caused by an increased stroke volume from the
venous return now. The elevated stroke volume leads to a decreased heart rate.
Q: A nurse has been assigned to care for a client who has just given birth. How
frequently should the nurse perform assessments during the first hour of birth?
• A. every 30 minutes
• B. every 15 minutes
• C. every 30 minutes
• D. every 45 minutes
ANSWER: B
Rationale: Postpartum assessment is typically performed every 15 minutes for
the first hour. After the second hour assessment is performed every 30 minutes.
The client has to be monitored closely during the first hour after birth.
Postpartum Complications & Care
Q: Frequent voiding of small amounts (less than _____ mL) suggests urinary retention
with overflow, and catheterization may be necessary to empty the bladder to restore
tone.
ANSWER: 150
,Q: During assessment of the mother during postpartum period, what sign should alert
the nurse that the client is likely experiencing uterine atony?
• A. fundus feels firm
• B. foul-smelling urine
• C. purulent vaginal discharge
• D. boggy or relaxed uterus
ANSWER: D
Rationale: A boggy or relaxed uterus is a sign of uterine atony. This can be a
result of bladder distention, which displaces the uterus upward and to the right, or
retained placental fragments. Foul-smelling urine and purulent drainage are signs
of infection but are not related to uterine atony. The firm fundus is normal.
Q: The nurse observes a 2 in lochia stain on the perineal pad 1 day postpartum. Which
of the following should the nurse do next?
• A. reassess the client in 1 hour.
• B. Document the lochia as scant
• C. ask when the peri pad was changed
• D. massage the fundus
ANSWER: B
Rationale: This is a normal finding postpartum. Scant is 1-2 inch spot on a pad
approximately 10 ml loss.
Q: The nurse is caring for a client who has just received an episiotomy. The nurse
observes that the laceration extends through the perineal area and continues through
the anterior rectal wall. How does the nurse classify the laceration?
• A. 1st degree
• B. 2nd degree
• C. 3rd degree
• D. 4th degree
ANSWER: D
Rationale: The nurse should classify the laceration as 4th degree because it
continues through the anterior rectal wall. 1st degree involves only skin and
superficial structures above muscles. 2nd degree extends through perineal
muscles. 3rd degree lacerations extend through the anal sphincter but not
through the anterior rectal wall.
Q: A nurse is applying ice packs to the perineal area of a client who has had a vaginal
birth. Which intervention should the nurse perform to ensure that the client gets the
optimum benefits of the procedure?
• A. apply ice packs directly to the peri area
• B. apply ice packs for 40 minutes continuously
, • C. ensure ice pack is changed frequently
• D. use ice packs for a week after birth
ANSWER: C
Rationale: It should be changed frequently to promote normal hygiene.
Newborn Respiratory Conditions
Q: Seesaw respirations is seen in
ANSWER: Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Q: Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN)
ANSWER: Mild respiratory distress; pulmonary liquid removed slowly or incompletely;
resolution by 72 hours of age
A first time mother is nervous about breast feeding. which intervention would the
nurse perform to reduce anxiety about breastfeeding?
A. reassure the mother that some newborns latch and catch right away and some
take more time to be patient.
b. explain that breast feeding comes naturally to all mothers.
c. tell her that breast feeding is a mechanical procedure that involves burping
once in a while and she should try to finish quickly.
d. ensure that the mother breast feeeds the newborn using the cradle method. -
ANSWERS a
A client breastfeeding a newborn reports sore nipples. Which intervention can the
nurse suggest to alleviate the clients condition?
A. recommend a moisturizing soap to clean nipples.
b. encourage use of breast pads with plastic liners
c. offer suggestions based on observation to correct positioning or latching
d. fasten the nursing bra flaps immediately after feeding - ANSWERS c
, offer suggestions based on observation to correct positioning or latching
A client who has given birth is being discharges from the the health care facility.
She wants to know how safe it would be for her to have intercourse. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse provide to the client regarding intercourse
after childbirth? - ANSWERS Resume intercourse if bright-red bleeding stops.
A client is Rh-negative and has given birth to a newborn who is Rh-positive. Within
how many hours should Rh immunoglobulin be inject - ANSWERS 72
Urinary retention is a major cause of __________, which allows excessive
bleeding. - ANSWERS uterine atony
uterine atony - ANSWERS The most common cause of postpartum
hemorrhage.
atony - ANSWERS lack of muscle tone
A client is Rh-negative and has given birth to her newborn. What should the nurse
do next? - ANSWERS Determine the newborn's blood type and rhesus.
Engorgement of breasts - ANSWERS Temporary swelling or fullness of the
breasts in response to increased blood flow when the milk begins to "come in".
Usually on the second or third day after birth.
