NUR 254 EXAM 2: POSTPARTUM CARE AND NEWBORN
ASSESSMENT GUIDE| LATEST 2026 UPDATE
• Unit 4—Postpartum/client health issues
o Characteristics and measurements of normal involution patterns
▪ Should be at umbilicus within 24 hours.
▪ Involution should occur at 1-2cm/day and should not be
palpable by 2 weeks postpartum
o Lochia
▪ Timeline and Description for Each
• Rubra – 1-3 days: Bright red
• Serosa – 4-10 days: Pinkish/Brown
• Alba – 10-14 days: Whitish-yellow
o Anatomic and physiologic patterns during the postpartum
recovery
o Normal vs abnormal vitals signs and lab values in postpartum
patient
o Components of the parenting process
▪ Safety
▪ Tasks and responsibilities
▪ Attachment and bonding
• Dimensions that influence attachment and bonding
• Signs of successful bonding
▪ Education
o Nursing care and interventions for the postpartum patient
o Psychosocial needs of the mother after birth
o Postpartum complications
▪ Signs and symptoms of complications
▪ Interventions for complications
o Discharge teaching and follow up care
o Feeding methods
▪ Breast
• Breast health
• Breast assessment
• Interventions for abnormal findings/difficulty feeding
o If engorged, hand express before latching
o Use warm compress and massage for clogged duct
https://www.stuvia.com/user/lucidwise
, • Lactation support
• How to breastfeed
https://www.stuvia.com/user/lucidwise
ASSESSMENT GUIDE| LATEST 2026 UPDATE
• Unit 4—Postpartum/client health issues
o Characteristics and measurements of normal involution patterns
▪ Should be at umbilicus within 24 hours.
▪ Involution should occur at 1-2cm/day and should not be
palpable by 2 weeks postpartum
o Lochia
▪ Timeline and Description for Each
• Rubra – 1-3 days: Bright red
• Serosa – 4-10 days: Pinkish/Brown
• Alba – 10-14 days: Whitish-yellow
o Anatomic and physiologic patterns during the postpartum
recovery
o Normal vs abnormal vitals signs and lab values in postpartum
patient
o Components of the parenting process
▪ Safety
▪ Tasks and responsibilities
▪ Attachment and bonding
• Dimensions that influence attachment and bonding
• Signs of successful bonding
▪ Education
o Nursing care and interventions for the postpartum patient
o Psychosocial needs of the mother after birth
o Postpartum complications
▪ Signs and symptoms of complications
▪ Interventions for complications
o Discharge teaching and follow up care
o Feeding methods
▪ Breast
• Breast health
• Breast assessment
• Interventions for abnormal findings/difficulty feeding
o If engorged, hand express before latching
o Use warm compress and massage for clogged duct
https://www.stuvia.com/user/lucidwise
, • Lactation support
• How to breastfeed
https://www.stuvia.com/user/lucidwise
