CVA EXAM REVIEW UNIT 4 2026 EXAM
PREPARATION PACK KEY TOPICS AND SAMPLE
QUESTIONS WITH EXPLANATIONS
◉ What happens to the cervix postpartum? Answer: After delivery,
the cervix is in the vagina; it will be partially dilated, bruised, and
edematous; the cervix will return to pre-pregnancy state around 6
weeks postpartum
◉ What happens to the vagina postpartum? Answer: The mucosa is
edematous, relaxed, and thin; as estrogen production resumes, the
muscles recover, edema decreases, and normal mucus production
returns with ovulation; returns to pre-pregnancy state around 6-8
weeks postpartum
◉ What happens to the perineum postpartum? Answer: The
perineum is edematous, bruised, and trauma is often present; if an
episiotomy or tear occurs, it may take 4-6 months to fully heal;
muscle tone may never return; nerve damage, fistulas, hematoma, or
infection may occur
◉ What is the treatment for hemorrhoids postpartum? Answer: - Ice
packs
- Tucks pads
,- Topical numbing spray and gels
- Sitz baths
- Oral analgesics
- Pelvic floor therapy
◉ What is one of the most common complications of childbirth
following a vaginal birth? Answer: Pelvic floor dysfunction
◉ What is the purpose of pelvic floor muscle training exercises
(PFMT)? Answer: To improve pelvic floor tone, strengthen the
perineal muscles, and promote healing (a weak pelvic floor can also
lead to urinary incontinence later in life)
◉ What happens to cardiac output postpartum? Answer: Returns to
normal within 6-8 weeks postpartum
◉ True or False? A decrease in BP and cardiac output immediately
postpartum is a cause for concern. Answer: True!
◉ If a postpartum mother has a sudden decrease in BP and MAP,
what could that indicate? Answer: - Hypovolemia
- Infection
- Hemorrhage
,◉ If a postpartum mother experiences an increase in BP, what could
that indicate? Answer: Postpartum preeclampsia
◉ What happens to blood volume postpartum? Answer: Drops
rapidly after birth and returns to normal within 4 weeks (diuresis 2-
5 days postpartum can help reduce blood volume)
◉ What happens to heart rate postpartum? Answer: Slows
◉ If a postpartum mother has tachycardia, what could that indicate?
Answer: - Infection
- Hypovolemia
- Hemorrhage
◉ What concerning symptoms should you look for if a postpartum
mother has tachycardia? Answer: - Headache
- Vision disturbances
- Hyperreflexia
- Clonus
◉ True or False? Some women may run a low-grade temperature for
the first 24 hours postpartum. Answer: True! This may be due to
mild dehydration and hormone shifts.
, ◉ What happens to coagulation postpartum? Answer: Altered
clotting factors lead to risk for DVTs and PEs; risk decreases 3 weeks
postpartum, but still at risk for up to 12 weeks
◉ What are factors that increase a woman's risk of DVTs and PEs
postpartum? Answer: - Smoking
- Obesity
- Infection
- Immobility
- Emergent surgeries
◉ What happens to the blood cellular components postpartum?
Answer: - Decrease in RBCs
- Slight elevation in WBCs during labor, but return to normal 4-6
days postpartum
◉ What urinary adaptations occur postpartum? Answer: - Diuresis
is normal (sweating and voiding)
- Voiding may be difficult at first (especially with anesthesia, vaginal
trauma, or generalized swelling and bruising)
◉ What GI adaptations occur postpartum? Answer: - Quickly returns
to normal, but may experience constipation with narcotic use
PREPARATION PACK KEY TOPICS AND SAMPLE
QUESTIONS WITH EXPLANATIONS
◉ What happens to the cervix postpartum? Answer: After delivery,
the cervix is in the vagina; it will be partially dilated, bruised, and
edematous; the cervix will return to pre-pregnancy state around 6
weeks postpartum
◉ What happens to the vagina postpartum? Answer: The mucosa is
edematous, relaxed, and thin; as estrogen production resumes, the
muscles recover, edema decreases, and normal mucus production
returns with ovulation; returns to pre-pregnancy state around 6-8
weeks postpartum
◉ What happens to the perineum postpartum? Answer: The
perineum is edematous, bruised, and trauma is often present; if an
episiotomy or tear occurs, it may take 4-6 months to fully heal;
muscle tone may never return; nerve damage, fistulas, hematoma, or
infection may occur
◉ What is the treatment for hemorrhoids postpartum? Answer: - Ice
packs
- Tucks pads
,- Topical numbing spray and gels
- Sitz baths
- Oral analgesics
- Pelvic floor therapy
◉ What is one of the most common complications of childbirth
following a vaginal birth? Answer: Pelvic floor dysfunction
◉ What is the purpose of pelvic floor muscle training exercises
(PFMT)? Answer: To improve pelvic floor tone, strengthen the
perineal muscles, and promote healing (a weak pelvic floor can also
lead to urinary incontinence later in life)
◉ What happens to cardiac output postpartum? Answer: Returns to
normal within 6-8 weeks postpartum
◉ True or False? A decrease in BP and cardiac output immediately
postpartum is a cause for concern. Answer: True!
◉ If a postpartum mother has a sudden decrease in BP and MAP,
what could that indicate? Answer: - Hypovolemia
- Infection
- Hemorrhage
,◉ If a postpartum mother experiences an increase in BP, what could
that indicate? Answer: Postpartum preeclampsia
◉ What happens to blood volume postpartum? Answer: Drops
rapidly after birth and returns to normal within 4 weeks (diuresis 2-
5 days postpartum can help reduce blood volume)
◉ What happens to heart rate postpartum? Answer: Slows
◉ If a postpartum mother has tachycardia, what could that indicate?
Answer: - Infection
- Hypovolemia
- Hemorrhage
◉ What concerning symptoms should you look for if a postpartum
mother has tachycardia? Answer: - Headache
- Vision disturbances
- Hyperreflexia
- Clonus
◉ True or False? Some women may run a low-grade temperature for
the first 24 hours postpartum. Answer: True! This may be due to
mild dehydration and hormone shifts.
, ◉ What happens to coagulation postpartum? Answer: Altered
clotting factors lead to risk for DVTs and PEs; risk decreases 3 weeks
postpartum, but still at risk for up to 12 weeks
◉ What are factors that increase a woman's risk of DVTs and PEs
postpartum? Answer: - Smoking
- Obesity
- Infection
- Immobility
- Emergent surgeries
◉ What happens to the blood cellular components postpartum?
Answer: - Decrease in RBCs
- Slight elevation in WBCs during labor, but return to normal 4-6
days postpartum
◉ What urinary adaptations occur postpartum? Answer: - Diuresis
is normal (sweating and voiding)
- Voiding may be difficult at first (especially with anesthesia, vaginal
trauma, or generalized swelling and bruising)
◉ What GI adaptations occur postpartum? Answer: - Quickly returns
to normal, but may experience constipation with narcotic use
